Alumni Guest Lecture Series – July 2026

The Alumni Guest Lecture Series was organized by the SGRRIM & HS, College of Nursing, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Patel Nagar, Dehradun, on 18th July 2026 (Saturday) at 11:00 AM in Lecture Hall VIII. The programme was conducted with the objective of strengthening the academic and clinical competencies of nursing students by providing them with an opportunity to interact with an accomplished alumnus who has successfully established a professional career in a reputed healthcare institution. The lecture also aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to gain valuable insights into current evidence-based nursing practices and infection prevention strategies.

The session commenced with a warm welcome to the distinguished resource person, Ms. Tsering Youdon, an esteemed alumna of the M.Sc. Nursing (2022–2024 Batch), who is presently serving as Assistant Nursing Superintendent at Max Multi-speciality Hospital, Dehradun. And welcomed by our Respected Principal Prof. Dr. G. Ramalakshmi. Faculty members, undergraduate and diploma nursing students enthusiastically participated in the programme. The resource person was introduced to the audience, highlighting her academic achievements, leadership qualities, and significant contribution to nursing administration and quality patient care.

The lecture was delivered on the highly relevant topic:

"Skill Focused on Safe Injections and Sharp Safety: Stopping Hepatitis in Hospitals"

The resource person began the session by emphasizing that patient safety is one of the fundamental principles of quality healthcare, and that every healthcare professional has a responsibility to ensure safe clinical practices. She explained that unsafe injection practices and improper disposal of sharps remain major causes of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), occupational injuries, and transmission of blood-borne pathogens among healthcare workers and patients. She stressed that adherence to standard infection prevention protocols not only protects patients but also safeguards healthcare professionals and the community.

During the lecture, Ms. Tsering Youdon provided a comprehensive overview of safe injection practices based on national and international guidelines. She explained that a safe injection is one that does not harm the recipient, does not expose healthcare providers to avoidable risks, and does not result in hazardous waste for the community. She discussed the importance of using sterile syringes and needles for every injection, maintaining aseptic technique throughout the procedure, proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact, and avoiding unsafe practices such as recapping used needles or reusing disposable equipment. She also highlighted the role of continuous competency-based training and strict adherence to institutional protocols in minimizing clinical errors.

A major focus of the lecture was sharp safety and prevention of needle-stick injuries. The speaker elaborated on the common causes of needle-stick injuries in hospitals, including improper handling of needles, hurried procedures, overfilled sharps containers, lack of awareness, and failure to comply with standard precautions. She explained the significant occupational risks associated with needle-stick injuries, particularly the transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Students were educated on strategies to prevent such injuries, including the use of safety-engineered devices, avoiding needle recapping, immediate disposal of used sharps into puncture-proof containers, and prompt reporting of occupational exposures.

The resource person discussed the epidemiology and prevention of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections, emphasizing that these diseases continue to pose a serious public health challenge worldwide. She explained the modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, long-term complications such as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and the importance of early detection and timely treatment. She stressed that healthcare workers are among the high-risk groups and therefore should strictly follow standard precautions and receive complete Hepatitis B vaccination. The importance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), immediate first aid following accidental exposure, incident reporting, medical evaluation, and follow-up investigations were also discussed in detail.

Another important aspect of the lecture focused on Biomedical Waste Management, particularly the segregation and disposal of sharps according to the Biomedical Waste Management Rules. The speaker demonstrated the correct use of colour-coded waste segregation systems, the handling of contaminated materials, and safe transportation and disposal of biomedical waste to prevent environmental contamination and cross-infection. She explained that proper biomedical waste management is not only a legal requirement but also an ethical responsibility of every healthcare professional.

The session also highlighted the significance of standard precautions in preventing hospital-acquired infections. Ms. Tsering Youdon elaborated on the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene following the WHO "Five Moments of Hand Hygiene," respiratory hygiene, environmental cleaning, and maintaining a safe clinical environment. She emphasized that infection prevention should become a routine habit rather than an occasional practice and that strict compliance with infection control measures significantly improves patient outcomes.

The lecture became highly interactive as the resource person shared several real-life clinical experiences encountered during her professional practice at Max Multi-speciality Hospital. These practical examples enabled students to understand the real-world implications of infection control measures, occupational safety protocols, and nursing accountability. Students actively participated by asking questions regarding safe injection techniques, vaccination schedules, management of accidental exposures, biomedical waste segregation, infection control audits, and strategies for improving patient safety in clinical settings. The speaker addressed every query patiently, enriching the learning experience of all participants.

To reinforce the key concepts, the resource person presented clinical scenarios and discussed evidence-based recommendations for preventing healthcare-associated infections. She encouraged students to maintain lifelong learning, continuously update their clinical knowledge, and strictly adhere to professional ethics and infection prevention guidelines throughout their nursing careers. She also motivated the students to develop confidence, leadership qualities, and a commitment to delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality nursing care.

The programme concluded with the inspiring message:

"Safe Practice, Healthy Future – Together We Can Stop Hepatitis."

This message reinforced the collective responsibility of healthcare professionals in preventing the transmission of blood-borne infections and promoting a culture of patient safety within healthcare institutions.

The session concluded with an interactive feedback session, during which students expressed their appreciation for the practical orientation of the lecture and the valuable insights shared by the resource person. Faculty members acknowledged the contribution of the alumna in motivating students to excel in both academic and clinical practice. A formal Vote of Thanks was delivered, expressing sincere gratitude to Ms. Tsering Youdon for her informative and inspiring lecture, and to the university administration, faculty members, organizing committee, and students for their enthusiastic participation and support in making the programme a grand success.

Objectives of the Programme

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the programme, participants were able to:

Conclusion

The Alumni Guest Lecture Series was a highly successful academic initiative that provided students with valuable exposure to current clinical practices and professional expectations in modern healthcare settings. The expertise and practical experiences shared by Ms. Tsering Youdon, Assistant Nursing Superintendent at Max Multi-speciality Hospital, significantly enriched the learning experience of the participants. The programme successfully reinforced the importance of safe injection practices, sharp injury prevention, hepatitis control, biomedical waste management, and infection prevention strategies. It also strengthened the bond between the institution and its alumni while inspiring students to uphold excellence, professionalism, and patient safety in their future nursing careers. The session was informative, interactive, and impactful, leaving participants better prepared to deliver safe, ethical, and evidence-based nursing care and thanked by Mr. Samuel, Alumni Co Coordinator