Parvathy Vimalakshan

Sligo University Hospital is a 359 bedded acute general hospital managed by Saolta University Healthcare Group, HSE

STAFF NURSE GENERAL THEATRE

• Receive the patient into the operating room and establish rapport with the patient by asking and answering questions, take their medical histories and checking identification and consent.

• Prepare the environment and equipment for the patient. Prepare equipment for administering the anesthesia.

• Monitor patient’s vital signs before, during and after the operation.

• Working with members of the multi-disciplinary theatre team following local protocols and standards.

• Ensuring that the patient’s comfort, dignity and privacy are maintained at all times.

• Assemble, check and prepare the appropriate surgical instruments and consumables for a wide range of operative procedures incorporating various types of surgery prior to use and any faults to be reported to the theatre manager immediately.

• Ensuring the equipment is used in an appropriate and safe manner. Monitor, order, receive and check stock items including consumables, equipment and drugs.

• Maintain sterile environment throughout the operation to prevent infection.

• Carefully document patient condition and ensure any accidents or complaints are fully documented and that the appropriate manager is informed.

• Maintain the safe custody, handling of drugs in accordance with local policy.

• Offer the patient, care and support upon arrival on the post anesthetic care unit and monitor the patient’s health and progress.

• Providing appropriate care and treatment until the patient has recovered from the effects of the anesthesia and/or surgery.

• Assess the patient to ensure they can be discharged back to a ward.

• Adhere to all policies and procedures.

• Bed Capacity: 150
• Department: Operation Theatre
• Duties and responsibilities:
• SCRUB NURSE
• Before Operation
• 1. Ensure that the circulatory nurse has checked all the equipment needed during the procedure
• 2. Ensure that the theatre has been cleaned before the trolley is set
• 3. Prepare the instruments and equipment needed in the operation
• 4. Prepare own self by using sterile technique like scrubbing, gowning, glowing.
• 5. Receiving sterile equipment via circulatory nurse using sterile technique
• 6. Perform initial ,sponge, instruments and needle count, checked with circulatory nurse
• 7. Provide assistance for gowning and glowing to the surgeon
• 8. Assembly the drape according to use
• 9. Assist the surgeon in draping the patient aseptically according to routine procedure
• 10. Place knife handle using needle holder ,assembly suction tip and suction tube
• 11. Secure suction tube and cautry cord with towel clip or allis
• 12. Prepare sutures and needles according to use
• During An Operation
• 1. Maintain sterility throughout the procedure
• 2. Awareness of patient safety
• 3. Adhere to policy regarding sponge instruments counts, surgical needles
• 4. Arrange instruments on the mayo table
• 5. Watch the field/procedure and anticipate the surgeons need
• 6. Notify circulatory nurse if you need additional instruments
• 7. Adhere and maintain sterile technique
• End Of Operation
• 1. Undertake count of instruments and sponge with circulatory nurse
• 2. Inform the surgeon regarding count results
• 3. Assist surgeon in suturing the surgical incision
• 4. Apply the dressing over the surgical site
• 5. Clear away instruments and equipment
• CIRCULATORY NURSE
• Managing nursing care for the patient within the operating room and coordinating the need of the surgical team
• Asses the patient condition before during and after the operation to ensure optimal outcome
• Anticipate the scrub nurse need and be able to open the sterile pack, operating machinery and keep accurate record
• Maintain surgical safety checklist
• Before An Operation
• 1. Check all the equipment’s for proper functioning
• 2. Make sure the theatre is clean
• 3. Collect necessary stock and equipment
• 4. Turn on aircon unit and adjust the temperature of OT
• 5. Help the scrub nurse with setting up the theatre assist with counts and record
• 6. After the induction of anaesthesia expose the area for skin preparation
• 7. Catheterize the patient if indicated
• During Operation
• 1. Remain in the theatre throughout the procedure
• 2. Replenishes and record the sponge ,instruments ,needles or sutures
• 3. Ensure the theatre door remains closed and patient dignity is upheld throughout the operation
• 4. Watch for any break in the aseptic technique, if any break fount inform the surgeon immediately
• End Of Operation
• 1. Assist with final sponge and instrument count and documented
• 2. Sign the theatre register
• 3. Ensure all the specimen are properly labelled
• 4. Assist the scrub nurse in for patient dressing
• 5. Help in removing and disposing the drapes
• 6. Help to prepare the patient for transporting to recovery room
• 7. Make arrangement for preparation of theatre for next operation

• Bed Capacity: 400
• Department: Labor room Operation Theatre (LROT)