Postpartum sterilization by operating-room nurses in Thailand

Abstract

A training project to assess the performance of experienced operating room nurses as operators in postpartum sterilization was conducted in 1977-1978. The results for over 1000 nurse-operated clients and a comparison group of approximately 300 physician-sterilized clients show that nurses achieved comparable success with physicians in postpartum sterilization, as judged by clinical and attitudinal follow-up. No serious complications were recorded in either group. Minor infections in both groups were treated routinely. A stitch obcess for one nurse-operated client resulted in hospitalization; the client was released after 3 days. The clients in both groups returned to routine chores at home rapidly, and client satisfaction with the procedure was virtually unanimous in each group. This study lends support to the use of nurses in performing contraceptive surgery. The need for increased service coverage in this area is of high priority, and nurses provide a readily available and easily trained cadre of support staff. © 1981.