
Between April and September 2024, training of trainer sessions on the standard nursing procedures required for the provision of home care services were conducted across 32 health centres within the Local Units of Healthcare (LUHCs) in Tirana, Elbasan, Peshkopi, Bulqizë, Mat, Pogradec, Kavajë, Kukës, Lezhë, and Mirditë.
200 selected nurses and specialists from these 10 LUHCs participated in intensive five-day training sessions aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills to perform standard nursing procedures while delivering home care services. The training also aimed to enable them to transfer these clinical skills to their colleagues at their health centres by establishing Peer Groups.
In these training sessions, nurses are trained to provide care for malignant wounds, tracheostomy care, ear irrigation, nasogastric tube insertion, stoma care, enema administration, urinary catheterisation, lymphoedema treatment, electrocardiogram (ECG) performance, and more.
The training employs a blend of activities that combine theory and practice – such as role-playing, group discussions, PowerPoint presentations, practice with documentation, and hands-on experience with moulages, mannequins, medical equipment etc. – to optimise participants’ acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
The materials used for these sessions include the “Manual of Standard Nursing Procedures”, the “Nursing Record”, the “Nursing Assessment Form”, the “Peer Group Guide”, as well as moulage and mannequins and essential medical equipment required for home care services (such as stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers, pulse oximeters, bronchodilators, nebulisers, breathing exercise devices, enema apparatus, ECG machines, ear irrigation devices, gastric probes, pneumatic devices for lymphoedema, etc.).
These training sessions, followed by the establishment of Peer Groups within the respective health centres, are essential for upskilling medical staff and expanding home care services.
Now, 32 new health centres have joined the network of centres that provide periodic healthcare services for chronically ill patients who cannot visit health centres.