Professionals from the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital complete international course on infection prevention
Training promoted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital reinforces the unit's role in controlling hospital infections in oncology patients
Professionals from the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital (Hoiol), in Belém, participated in the first Brazilian edition of the international course on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), promoted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a world reference in the treatment of childhood cancer. The intensive training took place from August 6 to 12, at the headquarters of the Support Group for Adolescents and Children with Cancer (GRAACC), in São Paulo (SP), bringing together specialists from 23 hospitals across the country.
The team from Pará was represented by nurses Adrielle Monteiro, from the Hospital Infection Control Service (SCIH), and Blenda Cabral, from the Hospital Epidemiology Center (NHE). Both were part of the select group of 31 professionals approved for the in-person phase of the course, after a virtual stage held between March and May, with 77 participants from all over Brazil.
Exchange of experiences and strengthening the network
The international training was marked by an immersion in strategies and practices for preventing hospital infections, focusing on the safety of oncology patients. Throughout the week, specialists from St. Jude and partner institutions shared protocols and successful experiences, adapted to the reality of Brazilian hospitals.
For nurse Adrielle Monteiro, participating in the course represents a step forward for the care provided in Pará. “I am very happy with this opportunity and the possibility of bringing the knowledge acquired back to our state. I intend to contribute even more to improving care and safety in management, focusing on infection prevention,” she highlighted.
Blenda Cabral also celebrated the learning experience. “It was an intense week with highly qualified professionals. Participating in this course was enriching. Our goal is to replicate the improvement actions learned in the unit, aiming to provide the best care to our patients, prevent infections, and consequently increase their chances of recovery,” explained the nurse, a specialist in infectious diseases and a master's in parasitic biology.
Commitment to excellence in care
The general director of the Octávio Lobo Hospital, Sara Castro, emphasized the positive impact of the qualification on the unit's care routine. “Supporting the training of the team is a direct investment in the quality and safety of the care provided. The participation of Hoiol in this course, alongside reference institutions like St. Jude and GRAACC, is a great source of pride for our team,” she stated.
According to the manager, the learnings will be incorporated into the hospital's care practice. “Experiences like this provide access to excellent infection control practices, essential for ensuring more safety and quality in care for users. I believe that the knowledge will be applied and multiplied in our routine, directly reflecting our mission to offer high-level, humane, and safe oncological treatment,” concluded Sara.
Service - Accredited as a High Complexity Oncology Unit (Unacon), the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital is a reference in the Amazon region for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, serving patients from 0 to 19 years old. The unit, managed by the Institute Diretrizes (ID) in partnership with the Pará State Department of Public Health (Sespa), currently follows more than 900 users from 144 municipalities in Pará and neighboring states.
Ellyson Ramos - Ascom Hoiol
