TNMU Launched Training Course for Specialists of Disaster Medicine Teams Who Will Work in the De-Occupied Territories

On April 21, 2023, a new training project for disaster medicine team specialists was launched on the basis of the simulation training centre of Ternopil National Medical University. This program is implemented within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the World Health Organization and the Ternopil National Medical University. In total, it is planned to organize thirty two-day trainings on life support for patients with injuries and providing assistance during mass casualties for specialists in emergency medical care and disaster medicine.

This project is an intensive practical training of emergency and disaster medicine specialists of Ukraine, who agreed to work as part of mobile disaster medicine teams in the de-occupied territories. It should be noted that most of them already have experience working in the de-occupied territories of Kherson, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions.

During the next three months, 10 courses of simulation training “Management of a critical paediatric patient”, 10 courses of “Management of a critically injured victim” and 10 courses of “Peculiarities of the work of emergency medical care in the conditions of a mass incident” will be held.

The first training of disaster medicine teams was started at the end of last year with the participation of the All-Ukrainian Resuscitation Council and related to the management of a critical adult patient. These courses are a necessary continuation, according to the basic requirements and international standards of the work of such teams in areas of humanitarian disaster. At each of the three courses, standard approaches will be practiced regarding the peculiarities of the examination of injured victims, including children, as well as practice of a number of practical skills necessary for providing assistance to injured victims, children and in the conditions of a mass incident.

As part of the training project, 540 medical staff of emergency medical care and disaster medicine centres will be trained. Instructors will evaluate their newly acquired skills during hands-on work in simulated clinical scenarios. In addition, each participant will take a final theory exam.

On the eve of the start of this project, the TNMU Stimulation Training Centre received new equipment from the WHO worth almost 2 million hryvnias. Course participants will have the opportunity to learn practical skills on:

1. Carrying device “Hamilton T1”, which makes it possible to completely replace stationary equipment and can be used during the transportation of the patient by all types of transport. Thanks to the quick-start settings, this ventilator can be easily operated by medical professionals without special training.

2. “Zoll autopulse” which is a device that performs chest compression and makes it possible to work during CPR in conditions of limited personnel resources, as well as to deliver a patient in a state of ongoing CPR to a health care facility, where there are better chances of saving him/her.

3. “Utas c300” monitors which are devices that provide continuous monitoring of all vital parameters of a critical patient during the entire period of care and transportation.

4. “Cardio-Aid 360” defibrillators which are devices for rhythm monitoring, defibrillation, cardioversion and cardiac stimulation of a critical patient.

This equipment is already used in advanced training courses for medical personnel of the Centre for emergency medical care and disaster medicine. The obtained equipment largely expands the possibilities of providing emergency medical care to a critical patient at the pre-hospital stage, including in the framework of inter-hospital transportation of victims.

This course is implemented by employees of TNMU Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine and the Department of Paediatrics of the Faculty of Postgraduate Education, who have the status of instructors / directors of international associations for emergency medicine. The team of experts included Professor Arsen Hudyma, Halyna Tsymbaliuk, Olha Prokhorenko, Antonina Chervatiuk, Yurii Denysiuk, Olha Dutchak, Emilia Burbela, Alina Pokryshko, Nariz Javadova, Roman Huk, and instructors of the All-Ukrainian and European Resuscitation Council, doctors of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Lyudmyla Smeshko, Olena Volovyk, Anatolii Kaleniuk. Associate Professor of the Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine Halyna Tsymbaliuk is in charge of the project.

TNMU Press Secretary, Yanina Chaikivska.

Photographs by the author.