Todman Ward - Anaesthetics and Recovery
"Surgery is interesting and I go home every day feeling that I have done something very worthwhile."
Recovery has a capacity of 17 beds although usually sees a maximum of ten patients at one time and is staffed according to demand.
Nurses provide patients with pre-operative care including management and organisation of equipment required for anaesthesia. The nurse assists the anaesthetist with intubation/extubation to ensure patient safety during and post surgery. Knowledge of IV cannulation, airway management and patient monitoring is essential for the anaesthetic assistant. Ventilators, anaesthetic machines, cell savers, difficult intubation equipment, central lines and arterial monitoring, are some of the technology the anaesthetic nurse will use in routine clinical management. In the recovery or post anaesthetic phase of the patient's surgical episode, nurses must document and monitor the child's ongoing progress and recovery from the anaesthetic and surgery. Good communication skills are essential. The ability to liaise with medical staff to ensure patients are reviewed as required, or transferred to an appropriate ward post op in a timely safe manner, is also imperative. Anaesthetic and recovery nurses have an appreciation and understanding of parental anxiety and possess the ability to deal empathically with their fears and concerns. Parents are encouraged to visit in recovery once the child is awake and stable.
Case Mix
Located on level 3 of The Children's Hospital at Westmead are nine operating rooms and one procedure room. These facilities also support a cardiac catheter lab and Interventional Radiology, MRI and CT scan. The operating suite case mix comprises:
- Cardiac
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopaedics (Spinal, Limb Lengthening)
- General surgery
- Liver Transplants
- Craniofacial, Plastics
- Opthalmics
- ENT
- Dental
- Urology
- Cardiac Catheterisation
- Gastroenterology
- Trauma Management
Rostering practice
As nurses are experienced in both anaesthetics and recovery, the rostering is more flexible with part time and full time positions available. There is currently no night duty but 'on call' is required.
Education assistance
Orientation comprises a week in each area with theoretical support and CNE assistance. Thereafter a preceptor program is commenced where the preceptor helps the new member achieve their competencies. Staff are expected to complete level one competency within the first three to six months of employment. Education is broad and work packages are being developed to facilitate ongoing learning.
Opportunities
Staff are encouraged to enrol in the College of Nursing Anaesthetic and Recovery Certificate which is accredited to some universities for the first year of a diploma. Regular in-service supports the education packages and our clinical nurse educator is extremely supportive. Management is very supportive of all relevant study or projects undertaken in the unit. Education days, study leave and time to research or plan is often facilitated. Attendance at the simulator centre based at the Royal North Shore Hospital is available, offering nurses a great opportunity to broaden their knowledge in emergency response in operating theatres. Staff are encouraged to attend the Medtronic Cell Saver Seminar. This course, run over two days, educates the nurse in blood products and their use. The aim of the course is to highlight the advantages of inter operative cell salvage and autologus blood transfusion.
Professional Development
A variety of opportunities are offered including relief in higher grade positions, presentation at or participation in annual perioperative seminars, CNS's do a Management Month looking at all aspects of Management within the Operating Suite.
Special Features
Exciting and interesting fields of work offer the potential to broaden your scope of practice. The skills learned in this unit can be transferred to any acute care environment.
For information about Employment in Anaesthetics and Recovery, please contact Christie Cordina, Nurse Unit Manager, through switch on (02) 9845 0000.