Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Activities of Tampere Surgical Education Centre
Arranging a training event
Activities of Tampere Surgical Education Centre
Where do the cadavers for the training come from?
During the training, the deceased who have undergone an autopsy are used in TSEC. The will and conviction of the deceased concerning the educational use of their corpse are always checked from the patient records and the bereaved.
How are the deceased handled during the training event?
All training is carried out with a respect for dignity and legal protection of the deceased. The staff in TSEC takes care of the preparation of the deceased for the training. The deceased are handled as patients in the surgical laboratory. The educational use of a deceased person in training will not delay the burial. The bereaved will receive a detailed schedule in relation to the handover of the deceased.
Can a person will his corpse to the educational use in TSEC?
If a person wants his corpse to be used in surgical education, one does not have to have a specific will. A note in the patient record or living will is enough. It is advisable to tell about it to one’s relatives, too.
One can also will his corpse to the Tampere University Faculty of Medicine and Health School. In that case, it is used in the anatomy training of the medical students.
Are there any hazards in the use of fresh cadavers?
All deceased are vetted before the use in training using the patient records. If according to the anamnesis or autopsy tuberculosis is suspected, the deceased is not used during a training event. This applies also to the case of misuse of alcohol or drugs.
It is practically impossible to test cadavers for blood-borne infections like HIV, hepatitis B or C. Also, one cannot exclude the possibility of blood-borne or sexually transmitted infections solely based on preliminary information. However, plenty of patients carrying these viruses are operated safely every year without knowing their carrier status. To avoid the contagion, a certain code of practice is followed during the operations. This practice should be carried out also during the cadaver training sessions, to ensure the safety of the training.
Who are allowed to use TSEC?
Healthcare professionals and students from different clinics, hospitals and academies can practice their skills in TSEC. The manufactures of the medical implants, instruments and devices can arrange their own courses. Research and development are not included in TSEC’s permit to operate, therefore all devices must have marketing permit in Finland.
Can a person apply for an internship or student exchange in TSEC?
No. The applications are addressed to the Tampere University Hospital clinics or University.
Arranging a training event
What does it cost to arrange an event in TSEC?
The fees can be found in the the list of facility and service fees. The fee depends on how many tables are reserved for the training according to used days.
What services are included in the fee?
The included services can also be found in the list of facility and service fees.
What services are not included in the fee?
The fee does not include any special instrumentation. A client is allowed to bring his own instrumentation along. The decontamination wash of client’s instrumentation up to five containers / reserved station is included in the fee, but if the number of containers exceeds that, an additional washing fee of 25 € + VAT 24 % / container is charged. Special requirements (for example, sterilization) are agreed and invoiced by the number of containers (25 € + VAT 24 % / container).
The use of other facilities outside the TSEC (for example, auditoria) or catering are not included in the service fee. If there is a need for preparation of certificates, flyers or nametags, it is invoiced separately (coordinator’s services 60 euros + VAT 24 % per hour, nameplate (materials and preparation) 3,30 euros + VAT 24 % per unit).
How can I reserve the surgical laboratory for an educational event?
The planning of an event begins with the filling of the order form and emailing it to kirurgiankoulutuskeskus(at)pshp.fi . The desired date, extend and content of the course are inquired there. In order to make a reservation, we need the number of cadavers needed during the event, the planned schedule and information about the procedures during the course, as well as the contact information of the organizer. When a suitable date has been set and reserved for you, we will make a written agreement about the course.
Can I cancel a reserved event?
A reservation can be cancelled without any fee, see the list of facility and service fees.
All alterations regarding the size of the reservation, the date or the schedule of the course must be done at least four weeks prior to the reserved date.
Who obtains trainers for a course?
When the surgical lab is reserved for an educational event, the organizer of the event obtains trainers of the course. For a hospital clinic’s course, their own specialists usually act as trainers. The societies and companies usually hire experts to train the participants.
Does TSEC provide surgical courses for single physicians?
TSEC provides some courses, in which a single physician from any hospital can participate. The courses can be found in educational calendar Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa.
The clinics of Tampere University Hospital sometimes invite visitors to their own training events. In this case, TSEC invoices 400 euros + VAT 24 % from one visitor. If invited to a training event, please contact tsec(at)pirha.fi before the event and give us your name and contact information, your employer and invoicing address.
What is the surgical laboratory in TSEC like?
The building where TSEC is located has been completed in 2013. The surgical laboratory is a spacious 210 m2 room with eight operation tables that can be divided into two four-table ORs. The laboratory is air-conditioned and well-illuminated with general lighting and operation lamps.
What kind of instrumentation is available in TSEC?
The instrumentation is suitable for general surgery as well as orthopedics. The clients arranging educational events in TSEC are welcome to bring their own equipment and instrumentation. All teaching tables are electrically controlled genuine operation tables. There are two HD-displays over each table. Two HD-camcorders are available for displaying live picture in the laboratory or in any auditoria in the hospital campus. Plenty of movable instrument tables are also available.
There is no pressurized air available in the surgical laboratory.
What is the delivery address for the external instrumentation?
The TSEC is located on the second floor of the O-building on Tampere University Hospital Campus. Its delivery address is Biokatu 16, 33520 Tampere. There is no loading bridge, so that should be acknowledged with large items. The truck should have a lowering loading platform. We can lend a hand pallet truck for transfers inside the building.
Large deliveries can be accepted on weekdays during 8-10 AM and 2:30-4 PM. Small deliveries can also be accepted during 10 AM - 2:30 PM. All deliveries and pick-ups must be agreed with the coordinators. The contact numbers in relation to the deliveries is +358 50 406 9171 and the email is tsec@pirha.fi.
How is the external instrumentation being cared after the training?
The instruments are transported to the centralized sterilization and disinfection unit in D Building for decontamination wash. After decontamination, the instrumentation is ready for packing in three days. If you have a need for faster decontamination, please contact our coordinators at least four weeks before the event. The decontamination process is included to our fee up to five containers / reserved station. Special needs (f. ex. sterilization) must be agreed separately and will be invoiced by the number of containers, see above.
The client purchasing the training event is responsible for the arrangement of the external instrumentation before and after the training event as well as for its packing for the transport. If there is a need for coordinator’s services for packing the instrumentation, it is agreed and invoiced separately (coordinator’s services 60 euros + VAT 24 % per hour).