On 7 September 2023 a ground-breaking event took place - the Masters of Resuscitation pre-congress Workshop. Hosted by the distinguished Hugo Minnaar (Critical Care Technologist) and his dedicated team, this workshop marked a significant milestone in the field of resuscitation. Endorsed by the ECMO Society of South Africa (ECMOSA), the event was a platform for healthcare professionals to elevate their expertise in Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) and the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
One of the highlights of this remarkable workshop was the active involvement of Getinge, a global leader in healthcare technology. Getinge played a pivotal role in both sessions, focusing on Cardiohelp Priming and Cannulation for resuscitation purposes. However, what truly set this workshop apart was the debut of their newly acquired GetSIM Dummy, a state-of-the-art training tool designed to simulate real-life scenarios. This was the first time such technology was introduced in South Africa and the response was nothing short of fantastic.
To make this workshop even more enriching, Lizelle Oosthuizen (Therapy Development Manager, Cardiovascular, MEA in Getinge) provided her expertise and helped Antoinette Roux (Product Specialist CP, CS and Vascular, ESA) with the workshop. Together with the local distributor Surgical Innovations, the workshop was well-equipped to provide a comprehensive learning experience to participants.
The pre-congress workshop saw an impressive turnout of approximately 50 healthcare professionals, representing various domains such as trauma surgery, paramedicine, intensive care, nursing, perfusion, and physicians. The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the attendees created a dynamic environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
One of the standout moments of the workshop was the simulated combined effort to cannulate the GetSIM Dummy, followed by effective compressions. This hands-on experience provided attendees with valuable practical skills that are essential in resuscitation scenarios. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to set up the Cardiohelp device beside a simulated collapsed patient, further enhancing their understanding of ECMO implementation in real-world situations.
In conclusion, the Masters of Resuscitation pre-congress workshop in South Africa was a resounding success, marking a significant step forward in the realm of resuscitation and ECMO. Getinge's innovative technology, combined with the expertise of global professionals created a unique learning environment that left participants inspired and better equipped to save lives. This event undoubtedly added immense value to the field of resuscitation and has set the stage for even more ground-breaking advancements in the future.
In the dynamic world of medical technology and product development, having a dedicated and passionate professional like Antoinette Roux, Product Specialist, CP, CS & Vascular ESA, is invaluable. Antoinette has shown unwavering commitment and has played a pivotal role in this project. Her exceptional skills and dedication have made a significant impact on the success.
Special recognition should go as well to: Lizelle Oosthuizen (Therapy Development Manager, Cardiovascular), Karen Botma (Managing Director South Africa), Darius Nel (Finance Manager) and Emmanuele Bossavy (Global Medical Education Manager) and his team from the Global Education Division.