Staff Nurse - Operation Theater

Job Description

ASSESSMENT:

Performs a systematic initial and on going assessment of the patient’s physical and psychosocial status, specific to the age of the patient.

PLANNING:

Collaborates with the patient/family and other members of the health care team to develop and update a plan of care that is consistent with the medical diagnosis and based on the patient’s changing physical, psychosocial and age related requirements.

Establishes realistic and measurable goals that are culturally sensitive and identifies nursing interventions to achieve the goals.

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Demonstrates priority setting skills and timeliness in responding to patient needs.
• Provides total, direct nursing care consistent with the plan of care and needs of the patients with respect for the patient’s privacy, dignity, personal preference and culture.
• Transcribe physician’s orders and reviews nursing and medical orders for accuracy and appropriateness.
• Prepares, administers and documents the administration of oral, parental and topical medications as prescribed by the physician. Is knowledgeable of therapeutic effects, usual dosages, contraindications, side effects and adverse reactions for all drugs and parental fluids administered in.
• Intervenes appropriately in clinical emergency situations i.e. cardio-pulmonary arrest, initiating emergency measures by.
• Assessing the patient and initiating CPR, if indicated and certified to do so.
• Alerting subordinates to summon for help, if necessary.
• Informing the Treating Doctor to assess the patient for emergency management.

Circulating Nurse:

• Checks patient in holding bay and the file including consent properly filled up and medical investigation results are readily available.
• Receives drugs to be administered to the patient before operation.
• Examines site of operation for proper shaving and marking.
• Checks and removes presence of nail polish, jewelry, and dentures before setting patient on operation table.
• Provides safety, psychological and emotional support to patient.
• Positions patient on the OR table.
• Coordinates with scrub nurse and OR Team when patient is ready for intervention.
• Monitors aseptic practices to avoid breaks in techniques coordinating movements of personnel assisting in the operation.
• Monitors patient and documents specific activities throughout the operative procedure to ensure safety and prevent complications.
• Assists to the needs of scrub nurse.
• Delivers sterile items on the sterile field.
• Labels specimens to be sent to Laboratory or endorsed to Recovery Room nurse to be given to the patient per request.
• Records the procedure done and all supplies used and endorse to the Ward Secretary for charging.

Scrub Nurse:

• Prepares sterile field.
• Assists in scrubbing, gloving and gowning of the surgeon.
• Set up sterile table observing principles of surgical asepsis.
• Prepares sutures, ligatures, instruments, and equipment needed for operation.
• Drapes the patient.
• Assists the surgeon and assistant surgeon during the operation anticipating the required instruments, sponges, drains, and other equipment to be handed to the surgeon as required.
• Keeps tracks of patient’s condition while under sedation and time operation started.
• Counts needles, sponges, and instruments before start of operation and before closing patient’s operated site to ensure nothing is left inside the operated site.
• Endorses patient to Anesthesia nurse, who will endorse to Recovery Room Nurse.
• Counter-checks charges done by the Circulating Nurse to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Sends all reusable instruments to CSSD for re-sterilization and be ready for next use.
• Counts used linen in the hamper bag before sealing and endorsing to Laundry Department.
• Helps in general cleaning and disinfection of operation theaters.
• Maintains safe, clean, and organized environment for patient/family/visitors and staff.
• Administers blood and blood products per doctor’s order and Hospital policy.

EVALUATION:

• Evaluates quality of nursing care being delivered and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluates on an ongoing basis the patient’s progress and the appropriateness of the plan of care involving the patient/family and other health team members.
• Evaluates and documents the patient/family’s understanding and response to the plan of care including teaching and discharge plans.
• Participates in presenting patient care conferences.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Practices within the established standards, policies and procedures.
• Recognizes when patient care needs extend beyond the limits of personal ability and consults appropriate resources.
• Provides input during development and review of patient care standards, policies and procedures and participates in the Interdisciplinary Quality Assessment & Improvement Program.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development and maintains currency in nursing for area of practice.
• Uses computer technology as required.
• Follows infection control guidelines such as: proper hand-washing before and after the procedure; standard precautions; proper and safe cleaning of blood, body fluids, and chemical spills; and reporting potential infections to appropriate authority i.e. Infection Control Nurse.
• Participates in fire and disaster drills and mock codes.
• Recognizes and supports patient and family rights by