Identify the specific preparation and equipment checks you would perform to be ready for the general surgery list today
You are waiting for a RN Rosie has been working as an anaesthetic nurse for several months and she is in the anaesthetic room with Mrs A, who is to undergo a total knee replacement. Mrs A has had a premedication, which has made her drowsy, but she is clearly still very anxious and holding firmly onto Rosie's hand. Rosie notices that Mrs A's healthcare record It is the commencement of your morning shift and you have been assigned to work in the general surgery operating theatre. The operative list comprises of two adult patients for elective surgical procedures: the first patient has an allergy to latex; the second patient is morbidly obese (BMI 70, height 166 cm, weight 193 kg).
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
Anaesthetic machine (routine intubation equipment) and trolley (includes anaesthetic drugs/fluids/syringes etc.): see further information in Chapter 8.
Radio-translucent operating table (labelled with weight capacity) (Hignett & Griffiths, 2009): ensure the table is clean, the battery is fully charged, all positioning controls are working and brakes are applied.
Suction system: ensure it is ready to use with new liners placed inside and checked to ensure the unit is in good working order and appropriately positioned.
Electrosurgery unit (ESU) with appropriate patient return electrodes and foot pedals: ensure the ESU is clean, dust-free, in good working order and has been tested by the biomedical unit.
Various instrument trolleys, mayo stand and bowl stands (optional): ensure they are available, clean, dust-free and in good working order.
Laparoscopic tower (monitor, insufflator with inline filter, camera): ensure the tower is clean, dust-free and in good working order, and has sufficient gas remaining in the carbon dioxide cylinder for laparoscopic procedures. Ensure all equipment on the tower has been tested and tagged by the biomedical unit.
Other surgical equipment required such as, but not limited to ultrasonic device (e.g. harmonic scalpel) or advanced bipolar equipment: ensure the equipment is clean, dust-free and in good working order and has been tested and tagged by the biomedical unit.
Patient safety equipment is available, clean and in good working order. These include:
sequential compression device
pressure injury prevention devices in sizes and shapes to match the anticipated patient procedures and planned procedures
patient warming devices (Rowen, Hunt & Johnson, 2012).
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