(Left to right): Manager Sterilising Services RNS/Ryde Sharon Woods, Chief Perfusionist, RNS Anaesthetic and Surgery Department Kieron Potger, Sterilising Technician Abey Stephen, Projects Engineer Ventia Group Barry Krause, and Floor Coordinator RNS Sterilising Services Froi Milan
New sterilisation room sets the standard A new dedicated facility at Royal North Shore Hospital for cleaning of heater cooler machines used in open heart surgery is earning universal praise. exposure and patients from infection risk. A Ministry of Health
extraction fans and separates the fumes from the rest of the unit, ensuring staff are not required to wear ventilator masks, and by moving the process into the sterilising department with sterilising technicians taking over the process, it relieves perfusion technicians and frees their capacity to assist with clinical activities.
mandate in response to an increase in infections linked to the machines required changes to cleaning protocols, including higher concentrations of cleaning fluid resulting in strong fumes requiring specific management to protect staff. The room has high level
The sterilisation department, working along with corporate services, hospital executive, infection prevention and control, and theatres created the purpose-built room which protects staff from chemical
Hornsby nurse to take off When registered nurse Stephanie Waldeback turned
anywhere in Australia with Virgin, as well as receiving a $500 Ampol fuel voucher. Lyn had nominated Steph, who is also a CWA volunteer, in the television show’s competition HealthCare Heroes. “If anyone deserves this, it is Steph,” Lyn said.
up for work in Hornsby Hospital’s emergency department (ED) recently, she thought it was an ordinary work day. But little did she know that her friends and family had been scheming in the background to throw her a surprise – live on television. Steph thought she was picking up some scones from her friend, Country Women’s Association (CWA) Hornsby branch president Lyn Braico, but as she walked out of the ED’s front doors she was greeted by television cameras. In an even bigger surprise, Steph was told by Channel 10’s Studio 10 that she was the lucky winner of flights
Steph Waldeback with her scones from Lyn Braico just before she is surprised on TV
idea. In shock, Steph said she was overwhelmed with the nomination. “I really don’t deserve this, but thank you,” she said. Steph said she might use her travel vouchers to fly to Western Australia or Tasmania with her husband Owen.
“She is so generous and she is always giving. She not only works in ED, but she cooks, bakes, makes chutneys and fundraises for farmers in need.” With the help of Steph’s husband and work colleagues, Lyn was able to have the TV crew secretly come to the hospital and surprise Steph who had no
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 22 | 3 DECEMBER 2021
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