A groundbreaking initiative at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is making strides in reducing surgical infection rates. The program, spearheaded by Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) department in partnership with the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT), trained 20 nurses in sterilization best practices over a two-week intensive course.
SPECT, a nonprofit established in 2013 to address gaps in sterile processing education in resource-limited settings, joined forces with Mercy Ships as part of the Safer Surgery program to tackle a critical healthcare challenge.
“These participants are learning the standards for sterile processing in surgical environments, how to clean materials, store them, and maintain safe operating rooms. The goal is to minimize surgical site infections (SSIs) and strengthen Sierra Leone’s entire healthcare system,” said Massiami Soumahoro, Education Training and Advocacy Program Officer for Mercy Ships.
Addressing a Critical Need
SSIs are a major cause of post-surgical complications globally, accounting for 38% of deaths among infected patients. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden due to limited access to sterilization resources and infrastructure challenges. Studies indicate that high SSI rates in LMICs not only endanger patients but also impose significant economic strains on healthcare systems.
To address these challenges, nine nurses from Connaught Hospital’s operating theater, nine from its wards, and two from its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) unit participated in the training. Over two weeks, the nurses engaged in hands-on learning, including lectures, demonstrations, and practical sessions on sterile cleaning techniques.
Dressed in scrubs and gloves, participants soaked surgical instruments—scalpels, scissors, tweezers, and prongs—in specially prepared cleaning solutions. They practiced scrubbing tools to remove organic material from intricate grooves and reviewed each other’s work to ensure precision. The training covered all stages of the sterilization process, from preparing cleaning stations to disposing of contaminated water safely.
Transforming Healthcare Practices
For Larry Lawrence, an operating theater nurse, the training has already made a difference.
“This course has helped me understand how to properly sterilize instruments immediately after surgery. We can now return to our departments and train other staff,” he said. “With this intervention, the rate of infections at the hospital will improve.”
Kardiatu Kamara, a nurse in the oncology ward, highlighted the broader impact of sterile processing.
“If we work without proper sterilization, we create a burden on the healthcare system. Patients treated with improperly processed instruments face infections, which strain health workers, government resources, and the patients themselves,” she explained.
Building a Sustainable System
The training’s impact extends beyond individual participants. A working group formed during the program is now developing standard operating procedures for sterile processing. These guidelines aim to sustain best practices across the hospital.
Mercy Ships ETA Director Suzanne Thomas says “Mercy Ships and SPECT will continue to follow up to ensure the learning is being put into practice. This training is a key part of our Safer Surgery program, which is designed to create lasting change in healthcare systems.”
With this initiative, Connaught Hospital is setting a precedent for improving surgical outcomes in Sierra Leone, paving the way for safer healthcare practices across the region.