ECSACONM Training Modules

These training modules are developed by the The East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery (ECSACONM).
This course is open access and may be used in any other certified program free of charge. It is not currently open edit, however, directors of accredited programs who are interested in contributing material or suggesting improvements are encouraged to contact us.
About ECSACONM
[edit | edit source]The East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery (ECSACONM) was established in 1990 as an executing arm of the then Commonwealth Regional Health Community Secretariat for East, Central and Southern Africa (CRHCS-ECSA) in the area of nursing and midwifery. The Arusha-based CRHC-ECSA secretariat, which is now referred to as the ECSA Health Community (ECSA HC), brings together 14 regional states.As an executing arm of the ECSA Health Community, ECSACONM is charged with the responsibility of promoting and strengthening professional excellence in nursing and midwifery in the ECSA region.
Credits
[edit | edit source]These training modules are developed by the East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery for the Surgical Education Learners Forum.

The Surgical Education Learners Forum, or SELF, develops and evaluates training modules for health care workers in low-resource settings. SELF training enables anyone to independently learn and self-assess specific skills. SELF training modules are free-to-use and publicly available.
SELF is an evolution of the Global Surgical Training Challenge, which funded the development of surgical training modules that allow practitioners to learn, practice, and self-assess specific surgical skills without supervision from a more experienced surgeon. The training modules are available for free on Appropedia.
Syllabus
[edit | edit source]Preoperative and Intraoperative Skills
[edit | edit source]By the end of this training, the perioperative nurse will be able to perform a complete operating room inventory and equipment setup, ensuring all surgical, anesthesia, and safety equipment are present, functional, and arranged according to best practices, with appropriate documentation and readiness for patient arrival.
This module trains healthcare workers, particularly scrub and circulating nurses, on how to correctly open surgical instrument sets, lay out sterile instruments in proper sequence, and maintain a sterile field throughout the setup phase. It emphasizes aseptic technique, role clarity between the scrub and circulating nurse, and efficient, deliberate movements to prevent contamination.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to safely and effectively perform preoperative skin preparation using aseptic technique. They will understand how to select and apply appropriate antiseptic agents, prepare and drape the surgical site, and follow key infection prevention principles to reduce the risk of surgical site infection—while adapting their technique for specific anatomical areas and completing all required safety checks.
This training module prepares healthcare workers to safely enter a sterile environment by eliminating transients and reducing resident microorganisms on the hands and forearms. It involves systematic hand scrubbing, aseptic drying, and donning sterile attire (gown and gloves). It emphasizes infection control, attention to detail, and sterile technique.
This module trains healthcare workers in the correct and sterile donning of a surgical gown, including how to work in tandem with a circulating nurse to secure the gown. It ensures that the outer gown surface remains sterile while the healthcare worker is fully covered and prepared for sterile gloving and entering the operative field.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to provide effective intraoperative support to the surgeon by performing tasks such as tissue retraction and suctioning. They will understand how to anticipate surgical needs, use instruments appropriately, and contribute to a safe, efficient operative environment.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to safely handle and set up electrosurgical devices in accordance with clinical protocols. They will understand the principles of electrosurgery, identify key components, and ensure proper functioning and safety checks to support effective surgical use and prevent complications.
This training module focuses on preparing and testing electro-surgical equipment (diathermy), surgical instruments, haemostatic materials, and patient-specific items (e.g., tourniquets) before surgery begins. It is performed by the scrub nurse and/or circulating nurse and is essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and surgical readiness. The procedure requires technical knowledge, device testing, communication with the surgical team, and attention to sterile technique.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to perform accurate surgical counts of items such as sponges and instruments using standardized techniques. They will understand the importance of count protocols in preventing retained surgical items and will be able to document counts clearly and communicate effectively with the surgical team throughout the procedure.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to properly collect, handle, and label surgical specimens in accordance with clinical and laboratory standards. They will understand the importance of accurate identification and timely processing to support correct diagnosis and optimal patient care.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to set up standard laparoscopic equipment correctly and perform basic troubleshooting to ensure safe and efficient operation. They will understand the function of key components—such as the camera system, light source, insufflator, and electrosurgical units—and how to prepare the equipment for use in minimally invasive procedures.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to prepare and organize drills, pins, external fixators, and implants on the surgical table to support orthopedic and trauma procedures. They will understand the function and handling of these devices and assist the surgical team in maintaining a safe, efficient, and sterile operative environment.
Peri-operative Procedures
[edit | edit source]By the end of this module, learners will be able to accurately assess and monitor a patient’s vital signs—including temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation—using appropriate techniques and equipment. They will be able to recognize normal and abnormal findings, ensure patient comfort and safety during the procedure, and document and report results clearly to support timely clinical decision-making.
This training module focuses on the safe and coordinated transfer of a patient onto the operating room (OR) table, typically in preparation for surgery and anesthesia. It involves assessing the patient’s condition, selecting appropriate transfer methods and equipment (such as pat slides or draw sheets), and working as a team to ensure the patient is moved with dignity, safety, and anatomical alignment.
This module trains learners to perform wound cleaning and dressing using sterile technique. It includes all steps from preparation and assessment to dressing application and post-procedure documentation. The learner is expected to maintain sterility throughout the procedure, ensure patient comfort, and perform a clinical wound evaluation. The skill is essential for infection prevention and effective wound healing, particularly in inpatient, surgical recovery, or outpatient wound care settings.
By the end of this module, learners will be able to perform basic suturing techniques and safely remove sutures when indicated. They will understand appropriate instrument handling, suture selection, skin closure principles, and how to assess wound healing and ensure patient comfort during suture removal.
By the end of this module, the learner will be able to safely and effectively perform defibrillation with an AED on a patient experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, including the proper setup of equipment, assessment of rhythm, administration of shocks, and post-procedure care and handoff to advanced care providers.
By the end of this module, the perioperative nurse will reliably plan, set up, handle, document, and hand off surgical implants and devices—maintaining sterility, compatibility, and traceability— to support safe, efficient implantation and postoperative care.
Course Authors
[edit | edit source]| Authors | |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Location | Africa |
| Organizations | ECSACONM, SELF |
| Cite as | Ian-laurel (2025–2026). "ECSACONM Training Modules". Appropedia. Retrieved June 17, 2026. |