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Perioperative nursing in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) has developed significantly over the last six years and the launch of the first edition standards for perioperative Nursing in PICTs Manual & Online Version is testimony to this.

At the launch yesterday, Natasha Manea Maa Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer from Samoa  said this manual is intended for nurses to deliver safe and high-quality perioperative nursing services that is culturally and Pacific appropriate for Pacific people undergoing surgery services.

“We envisioned that this manual is the basis of consistent standardized perioperative nursing practice in the region and reminds us to update new evidence-based practices with many more standard perioperative practices relevant to be added in the coming future and revision of the existing ones so far.”

This manual has been put together collaboratively, Consultants from Health Educational Learning Partnerships (HELPs), the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons – Pacific Islands Program (RACS -PIP), and the Pacific Community (SPC) with funding support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Former Program Coordinator of the SPC Clinical Services Program Ms Mabel Taoi, shared at the launch that the journey of the perioperative nursing began in 2015. “Our Pacific perioperative journey has laid a solid foundation for the future. From humble beginnings we now have nurses soon to qualify with a post graduate qualification, we have a professional organization, and we are here to celebrate the publication of the first edition of Standards for Perioperative Nursing the PICTs.”

The perioperative nursing journey also witnessed the establishment of the Pacific Islands Operating Room Nurses Association (PIORNA) which is an officially registered association and is a member of the International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN).

The 3rd Pacific Heads of Nursing and Midwifery Meeting commences today in Nadi, Fiji with the theme- A voice to lead: invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health.