Recovery Practitioner Role in the Operating Theatre

Post-Operative Care and Responsibilities

• Recovery practitioners ensure patient safety, monitor vital signs, and manage pain post-operatively.
• They provide care instructions to ward nurses, including medication management and signs of complications to watch for.

Theoretical Knowledge for Surgical Nurses

• Surgical nurses should possess knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and surgical procedures.
• Understanding evidence-based practices is crucial for delivering effective patient care.

Importance of Evidence-Based Nursing Care

• Nursing care must be evidence-based to ensure the best patient outcomes and adhere to local/national policies.
• Compliance with guidelines promotes standardization and quality in patient care.

NCEPOD Findings

• In December 2004, NCEPOD published findings on patient outcomes, aiming to improve surgical practices and reduce risks.

Additional Key Knowledge for Surgical Nurses

• Surgical nurses should have understanding in pathophysiology, alongside anatomy, to provide comprehensive patient care.

NHS Timeframe for Treatment

• Definitive treatment must begin within 18 weeks after referral in the NHS to ensure timely patient management.

Heparin Contraindications

• The absolute contraindication for heparin administration is active bleeding, which poses a significant risk of hemorrhage.

Conditions Necessitating Immediate Surgery

• Certain conditions outlined in the NCEPOD classification require immediate surgical intervention due to their critical nature.

Purpose of Nasogastric Tube Insertion

• A nasogastric tube is inserted during upper GI tract surgeries to decompress the stomach and prevent aspiration.

Anesthesiologist's Role in Surgery

• The anesthesiologist inserts an endotracheal tube to secure the airway and provide anesthesia during the procedure.

'2-Week Wait' System Significance

• The '2-week wait' system in the NHS is designed to fast-track potential cancer patients for diagnosis and treatment.

Differentiating Surgery Types

• Immediate surgery occurs without delay for life-threatening conditions, while urgent surgery is required within a few hours but is less critical.

Importance of Early Mobilization

• Early mobilization after surgery reduces the risk of complications like thromboembolism and promotes faster recovery.

Common Surgical Patient Requirements

• Surgical patients typically require fasting before surgery and may need pain management post-operatively.

Purpose of Adjunct Therapy in Cancer Treatment

• Adjunct therapy aims to enhance primary treatment effectiveness, reduce recurrence, and improve survival rates.

18-Week Referral to Treatment Standard

• The 18-week referral to treatment time (RTT) standard ensures patients receive timely assessment and intervention.

Criteria for Day-Case Surgery Selection

• Key criteria for selecting patients for day-case surgery include medical stability and the absence of significant comorbidities.

ASA Grading for Day-Case Surgery

• ASA grades I and II are generally considered suitable for day-case surgery, indicating lower risk.

Exclusions from Day-Case Surgery Criteria

• Conditions requiring intensive monitoring post-surgery are not considered for day-case procedures.

Unique Consideration in Day-Case Emergency Surgery

• Patient selection for day-case emergency surgery may prioritize immediate needs over the typical criteria used for planned cases.

Age Consideration for Day-Case Surgery

• Age is not an absolute contraindication, as many older patients can safely undergo day-case procedures.

Factors Supporting Day-Case Emergency Surgery

• Advances in anesthesia and surgical techniques have facilitated the safe implementation of day-case emergency surgeries.

Relative Contraindications for Airway Management

• History of difficult intubation can be a relative contraindication for airway management after paralysis and induction.

Airway Management with Suspected Cervical Spine Injury

• In cases of suspected cervical spine injuries, the 'jaw-thrust' maneuver should be performed to maintain airway patency.

Mask Positioning During Airway Management

• The mask should be positioned to form a tight seal over the patient's face, ensuring effective ventilation.

Ventilation Technique with Assistance

• If a second person is available, a two-person technique should be utilized for providing effective ventilations.

Recommended Ventilation Volume

• The recommended ventilation volume during airway management for an average adult is approximately 500-600 ml.

Hand Positioning for Mask Ventilation

• A C-shape hand positioning is recommended atop the mask to create a proper seal and facilitate effective ventilation.

Explore the responsibilities of a recovery practitioner in the operating theatre, including patient monitoring, airway management, analgesia administration, and documentation. Learn about the handover process to ward nurses post-operation.