NMC releases advisory for strengthening COVID trainings, asks medical colleges to nominate competent trainers

Through its advisory, the apex medical regulator has directed all the medical institutes to establish a robust training framework across the country.

It informed about the constitution of Empowered Group-3 (EG-3) for effectively addressing the evolving challenges from Covid-19 and listed down the clinical topics for the training of doctors, nurses and all health staff.

More than 120 lessons across 22 modules have been identified by the NMC and all health professionals are required to undergo training and certification on these clinical topics, to ensure patient safety at all times.

The commission also recommended that the skill laboratories of all medical colleges be utilized for the training.

It has further asked the states and Union Territories (UTs) to nominate the relevant master trainers.

Empowered Group-3 (EG-3)

The NMC informed that an Empowered Group-3 (EG-3) has been constituted on 'Augmenting Human Resources and Capacity Building' for decisively and effectively addressing the evolving challenges from Covid-19. EG-3 had further formed a sub-Group on Training and Capacity Building' with the mandate to identify training needs, develop modules and suggest robust training network to carry out trainings of Health Care Professionals.

EG-3, considering the recommendations of sub-Group, has been envisioned that a robust training framework needs to be established across the country to enable trainings on COVID-19 related topics, to mitigate any further surge of COVID.

Training modules

"More than 120 lessons (topics) across 22 modules have been identified. Several of these are clinical in nature and may need onsite trainings," said the NMC

All the health professionals including Doctors, Nurses and other clinical staff must undergo training and certification on these clinical topics, to ensure patient safety at all times. The skill training and verification is envisaged at the level of COVID hospitals and similar facilities including medical colleges, by utilizing the existing resources.

Establishment of Skill Labs

For the purpose of imparting the training, the NMC has recommended that the skill laboratories of the medical colleges may be utilized and list of equipment as per the list mentioned below may be made available from the existing resources.

While the equipment list is stratified based on the level of services to be provided in the facilities, medical colleges are expected to provide trainings for all the lessons and ensure availability of the equipment accordingly, it said.

Nomination of Competent trainers

The NMC has asked all the states/ UTs/ Medical Colleges to nominate the relevant master trainers for the said training to be conducted at the State/ UT level.

It further asked the medical colleges to coordinate for conducting the training and building up the infrastructure before August 31.

"All the ACS/Principal Secretaries /Secretaries (Medical Education) of the states/ UTs are requested to coordinate for conducting these trainings and building up the requisite infrastructure as described earlier before 31/08/2021," the advisory read.

Training of Trainers

ToT (Training of Trainers) for such clinical courses (training lessons) will be conducted by AIIMS faculty and the schedule will be shared shortly with all concerned State /UTs.

It will also be available at NMC's website which can be accessed at https://www.nmc.org.in/

Potential trainers can be retired Doctors and specialists (any including Physicians, lntensivists, Anesthesiologists with extensive experience) or available Doctors with extensive experience, Critical Care Nurse Practitioners, Respiratory Therapists and Physiotherapist, with adequate and extensive experience in handling critical equipment.

List of Clinical Topics/lessons requiring Skill Assessment/On-site Evaluation*

Basic training infrastructure requirements for district hospital/ Dedicated COVID Center

The training room shall fulfill the requirements of training for activities to be undertaken at the facility. Minimum recommended requirements are as under:

• A minimum of one separate skill demonstration room with two beds, such that the skills could be demonstrated and practiced individually or in groups

• The room should also be used for assessment of inductees

• The room may be equipped with a facility for video recording and review,

• A review or debriefing area,

• Adequate storage space for mannequins and/or other equipment may be provided in a safe area, within this space itself, if possible

• Basic equipment may include CPR and mannequins, injections, IV lines, catheters, intubation equipment etc.

• Where possible, existing equipment or resources may be utilised to reduce set up and maintenance cost

Broad recommendations for facility wise service oriented basic equipment and Trainer requirements are as under:

I. Dedicated COVID Hospitals (DCH)-

1. Ventilator machine, preferably of the make and model as one being used in the facility

2. Oxygen cylinders and Concentrators with all accessories and attachments

3. Supply mechanism of medical oxygen around the facility, pipes, regulators, control rooms; visit to PSA plant if there's one in the facility

4. Patient care accessories including injections, IV lines, intubation tubes, catheters, IV line, Catheters, Pulse oximeter, Infusion pump, Portable ECG machine, BP machine, Portable ultrasound machine, point of care testing equipment etc.

5. Bed-side nursing assistance and care provisions like bed pan, bed linen, pillows, patient gowns

6. Laboratory sample collection and transportation apparatus

7. Breathing Simulators

8. CPR and Advanced mannequins

9. PPE coveralls

Potential trainers can be retired Doctors and specialists (any including Physicians, lntensivists, Anesthesiologists with extensive experience) or available Doctors with extensive experience, Critical Care Nurse Practitioners, Respiratory Therapists and Physiotherapist, with adequate and extensive experience in handling critical equipment.

II. Dedicated COVID Health Centers (DCHC)-

1. Oxygen cylinders and Concentrators with all accessories and attachments

2. Patient care accessories including injections, IV lines, intubation tubes, catheters, IV line, Catheters, Pulse oximeter, BP machine, point of care testing equipment etc.

3. Bed-side nursing assistance and care provisions like bed pan, bed linen, pillows, patient gowns

4. Laboratory sample collection and transportation apparatus

5. CPR and Advanced mannequins

6. PPE coveralls

7. Contact details of Ambulances linked with the facility, DCH linked with the facility

8. User manuals on Biomedical Waste Management, Transfer Procedures.

At DCHC level Trainers could include experienced Medical Officers, senior Staff Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and Physiotherapist

III. COVID Care Centers (CCC)-

1. Oxygen cylinders and Concentrators with all accessories and attachments, Oximeter and BP machines

2. PPE coveralls

3. Checklists for periodic follow-up and evaluation of patients' status

4. Awareness generation material on Biomedical Waste Management, Transfer Procedures, Importance of hygiene, sanitation and COVID Appropriate Behaviour during the pandemic

5. Contact details of Ambulances linked with the facility, DCHC/ DCH linked with the facility

At CCC level care practical training could engage Medical Officers (MO) specifically for point I and 3 rest can be done by experienced AYUSH practitioners, senior Staff Nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians, Counselors and Local Administrators for coordination and reporting like responsibilities.

To view the official NMC advisory, click on the following link:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-159227.pdf