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Firstkind, a Sky Medical Technology company, announce RCN accreditation of its geko™ device user training programme for VTE prevention

20/02/2016

Firstkind Ltd, a Sky Medical Technology Company, is delighted to announce accreditation of its user training programme by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Centre for Professional Accreditation.

RCN accreditation is peer reviewed by expert representatives drawn from clinical, management and educational fields of practice, and recognises learning and development initiatives that are up to date, of high quality, contribute to patient safety, promote best practice and support nursing and healthcare delivery. The RCN accredited user training programme for the geko™ device provides hands-on, competency-based training to front-line hospital staff for VTE prevention. The learning objective of the training programme is to understand who the geko™ device is for, how the geko™ device works (its mechanism of action for VTE prevention) and how to correctly fit the device.

Worn at the knee, the geko™ device delivers gentle electrical impulses to stimulate the common peroneal nerve, activating the calf and foot muscle pumps to increase venous, arterial and microcirculatory blood flow. The increase in lower limb blood flow is similar to that achieved by walking, up to 60%, without the patient having to move or exert energy. NICE guidance (MTG19) supports use of the geko™ device for patients who have a high risk for VTE and for whom pharmacological and other mechanical methods of VTE prophylaxis are impractical or contraindicated.

Bernard Ross, CEO Firstkind says, “We are delighted that the training programme has met the RCN’s quality criteria for professional standards. Gaining this prestigious accreditation validates the high standards of customer support we work to provide. RCN accreditation provides an internationally recognised seal of approval to medical professionals and clinical teams when assessing learning initiatives that will provide best use of time.”

This programme has been accredited by the RCN Centre for Professional Accreditation until 16/11/2016. Accreditation applies only to the educational content of the programme and does not apply to any product.