Nursing Service

The aim of the Nursing Supervision Office is to coordinate and monitor the performance of all nursing departments so that nurses may provide state-of- the art integrated care to all of HYGEIA Hospital’s patients. 

The Office ensures the presence of a secure environment for patients, visitors and HYGEIA employees.

The Infection Control Office duties and competences are in line with those of the Infection Control Committee. The aim of the Infection Control Office is to plan and coordinate activities which actively contribute to reducing the spread of hospital infections, and protecting patients, visitors and the HYGEIA employees. The Infection Control Office focuses on active implementation of scientifically documented epidemiological principles and methods.

Specifically, the Infection Control Office:

• Compiles Infection Control procedures and protocols, in agreement with the Infection Control Committee, and supervises their implementation.
• Plans the education and training of all employees on infection prevention and control, focusing on the proper use of personal protective equipment when implementing universal precautions, contact precautions, droplet precautions and airborne precautions, as well as on the proper implementation of the hand hygiene rules.
• Uses contemporary tools and methods to assess risks, but also plan and implement the Hospital’s annual program for infection prevention and control. 
• Participates in preparing the Internal Regulation on infection prevention and control. 
• Participates actively in supervising and assessing certain indicators set by the Infection Control Committee, such as:
  • Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)
  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)
  • Ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs)
  • Occupational accident indicators from sharps injuries and exposure to hazardous biological fluids
  • Compliance rates of healthcare professionals to hand hygiene rules
  • Other infectious diseases
• Uses contemporary tools, such as care bundles, to prevent certain types of hospital infections.
• Monitors continuously the types of hospital infections and the early detection of potential hospital epidemics.
• Coordinates and guides the activities of Infection Control Nurses Unions.
• Plans and carries out educational programs, such as a two-day seminars on the main principles of infection prevention and control.
• Conducts audits using infection control audit tools.
• Schedules and carries out the annual flu vaccination program for healthcare professionals.
• Plans and implements part of the program for patient, carer and visitor education and training.
• Contacts the proper state agencies and submits reports on predefined events.

Hand hygiene should concern all of us!

Every year, we organize a series of actions addressed to the medical and nursing staff, other healthcare professionals (technicians, physiotherapists, trainees, maintenance employees, etc), as well as patients and visitors.

Apart from raising awareness, we aim to create a trusting environment and gradually solidify a mentality that promotes safety, with the ultimate objective being to assist healthcare employees in reducing the risk of spreading germs and subsequently transmitting infections.

On May 5 each year, we distribute informational pamphlets, while qualified medical and nursing staff inform employees and patients/visitors on the significance of hand hygiene. Special hand sanitizers are also placed at the Hospital entrance for visitors.

At our Hospital, we try to ensure that all employees do not omit to wash their hands with soap and water or disinfect them with hand sanitizers before coming into contact with patients. We also urge visitors to do the same.

• We believe that the simplest and most effective way to reduce infections and the transfer of pathogens is by properly implementing the hand hygiene rules.
• We focus on the significance of improving hand hygiene in healthcare facilities and as a way of life for each and every one of us.
• We train our hospital employees daily.
• We inform patients and their visitors on the importance of hand hygiene and how to clean their hands properly. 

To ensure convenient hand hygiene, we have placed special hand sanitizers throughout the Hospital.

Since 2014, we have adopted more actions that promote hand hygiene among patients and visitors. As part of the campaign, patients receive information on hand hygiene and are encouraged to ask the staff about the significance of hand hygiene and how to participate in the activities.

Pamphlets are distributed to patients and include information on:

• The participation of the Hospital in the World Hand Hygiene Day activities 
• Our actions 
• Brief advice on the significance of adhering to the hand hygiene rules in hospitals 

The nursing staff all wear stickers with the message “Ask me about hand hygiene”, distribute relevant material and give advice on proper hand hygiene practices.

Also read:

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Continuous nursing education is a high priority of the Nursing Directorate in HYGEIA Hospital. As early as the beginning of the century, when nursing science started to develop, it was recognized that Nursing Institutions are in need of distinct services in the aim of providing continuous clinical nursing education. The Nursing Education Office combines provision of continuous theoretical lessons in conjunction with clinical training (on the job training).

It provides:

• Specialized programs per department, continuously up-to-date applications, active participation in quality accreditation programs.
• Greater satisfaction from the nursing profession and the organization with continuous educational programs.
• Acknowledgement of the professional status and the responsibility of the nurse’s role.
• High level of nursing knowledge and competencies.

Among the activities of Nursing Education Office are included:

• Orientation and educational programs of Nurses, Assistant Nurses and Orderlies.
• Continuous education of all nursing personnel via seminars, conferences, clinical tutorials etc.
• Continuous clinical education of all nursing personnel under real time conditions (on-the-job training).
• Educational programs at home and abroad
• Educational  Nursing programs for Nursing executives
• Participation of Nurses in conferences at home and abroad
• Patient and family education on nursing care issues
• Clinical education of nursing students

Internal training programs including within the year:

• A three-day multi-thematic seminar
• A two-day Clinical office Seminar developed and implemented in collaboration with the Infection Control Office
• Clinical Skills Seminar
• Rounds of Hourly Lessons with various subjects
• One-day conference for Intensive Care-Unit Nurses
• One-day conference for Anesthesiology Department Nurses.
• One-day conference for O.R. Nurses
• One-day conference for Hemodynamic Department Nurses
• One-day conference on drug management and administration
• One-day conference on medical and nursing collaboration

Training Programs elaborated in collaboration with external bodies:

• Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support seminars, elaborated in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Seminars for Nurses provided by the Emergency Care National Centre
• Participation of Nurses in conferences at home and abroad with scientific presentations
• Participation in international research protocols

Nursing Orientation

New Nurses in HYGEIA Hospital, participate in an organized orientation program which focuses on recognizing and developing nursing skills.

The orientation program includes:

• A general orientation program within the Nursing Directorate, performed in collaboration with the Human Resource Department.
• A specialized orientation and educational program in any Nursing Department, being planned and carried out by the Nursing Education Office. Duration of the orientation varies with the department whereto each worker is placed.