Local nurses and other multidisciplinary health professionals had an opportunity to attend a one-day foundational orthopaedic workshop, held recently at CQUniversity Mackay.

The workshop was coordinated to increase multidisciplinary knowledge assessment and care of orthopaedic patients. 

Mackay Base Hospital staff Dr Kyaw San, Theresa Morgan, Maude Chapman, Simone Talbot and visiting guests Kevin O'Brien (Sanofi-Aventis) and Renae Collins (PA Hospital) The workshop attracted more than 36 participants and was led by Mackay Base Hospital staff Maude Chapman (Surgical Nurse Educator and CQUniversity Lecturer), Simone Talbot (Surgical Nurse Consultant) and Theresa Morgan (Surgical Nurse Unit Manager).

"The workshop provided a forum for exploring ideas and generating discussion, identifying and providing examples of best practice in orthopaedic patient care," Ms Chapman said.

"The event provided time for hospital staff to review current practices and improve communication between multidisciplinary health teams."

The workshop featured presentations from Mackay Base Hospital's Dr San, Dr Ram and Dr Trost and visiting Venous Thrombo Embolis (VTE) Clinical Nurse Consultant Renae Collins.

It explored areas such as musculoskeletal, dermatomes and neuro assessment, VTE, fractures mechanism and healing, orthopaedic complications, principles of traction and pain management in the orthopaedic patient.

"CQUniversity Mackay was an ideal location for the workshop. They have high grade facilities including technology to support presenters and are very supportive of health professionals using their campus, which is often used by the hospital," Ms Chapman said.

"There were a lot of positive comments regarding the workshop and the attendees are much more informed and felt more confident in the assessment of orthopaedic patients.

"As result of such positive feedback we plan to host an advanced workshop next year."