Nevill Hall Hospital
STUDENT NURSE
HANDBOOK
THEATRE
NAME:
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your theatre placement. Your time in theatre is an
excellent opportunity for learning new skills and gaining new
information, both of which will enhance the care you offer to patients
as you progress in your career.
It is important that you see this experience as part of a bigger picture
of care. Many patients that you will care for will undergo some sort of
surgical intervention. By working in main theatre and day surgery you
will better understand the patients experience and be able to give
more accurate information and support.
You will also have the opportunity to practice skills that you may not
have had the chance to be involved with before. These skills such as
insertion of an airway or scrubbing for a procedure will enhance your
care on the wards. For example, observe a procedure and see how the
scrub practitioner maintains a sterile field, this will enhance your own
practice when performing a dressing on the wards.
Philosophy of care
The patient focused, holistic care is delivered in a seamless, timely,
coordinated manner to all patients in a non-judgemental way. The
care given will be evidence based and clinically effective at all times.
All staff trained, untrained and students will be encouraged to deliver
the most appropriate care in an atmosphere dedicated to learning and
development.
Main theatre general information
Your first day
Please report to main theatre, you do not have to come in uniform
arrive in main theatre at 08.15hrs you will be given footwear and
shown where to find theatre blues. A timetable for your 1 week’s
placement will be given to you this is not written in tablets of stone if
you have a specific procedure you would like to see we will do our best
to accommodate you. A tour of the department will be given for you to
become orientated to the surroundings.
Shift Pattern
Our day shift starts at 08.15hrs -16.15hrs.
If you have any specific requests we will do our best to accommodate
these.
Sickness
If you are ill during your placement it is extremely important that you
inform the unit, please call 01873 73282 and tell the person
answering who you are supposed to be working with so that the
message can be passed on. You must also keep in touch if you are ill
for more than one day.
Lunch
You will have ¾ hour for lunch you can either bring Lunch with you
or you can change and go to the dinning room.
Jewellery
Jewellery is not allowed the only exception being a wedding ring.
Education & Teaching
We have a small resource room providing computer facilities with
access to internet and Intranet which will give you access to Trust
Policies and procedures. A variety of books and Journals to help with
current perioperative practises.
Finally
To ensure that you make the most of this short placement, ask lots of
questions join in and enjoy it!! We hope that we can make you feel
welcome as you visit our department.
If you do experience any problems with this placement please feel that
you can discuss these with us. This is only a short placement so it is
important that you have a positive learning experience.
UNIT STRUCTURE
Day surgery and main theatre have different management structures
with dedicated staff to each unit. However staff do work in both areas
as the need arises.
Theatre
This department is split in to three areas, anaesthetics, scrub side
and recovery. The scrub side then divides into general, gynaecology
and orthopaedics. The senior nurse is Kevin Jones. There are six
theatres and an eight bedded recovery unit in this department.
Each of our theatres are identified by colour
Yellow / Green Theatre are dedicated to general surgery.
Blue Theatre is dedicated to gynaecological surgery.
Red Theatre is dedicated to elective Orthopaedic surgery.
Orange Theatre is dedicated for elective Orthopaedic surgery in the
morning and every afternoon it is used for Trauma.
Jade Theatre is dedicated to elective Orthopaedic surgery only.
Day Surgery Theatre 2 is also used for Orthopaedic surgery
Wednesday, Thursday morning and Tuesday Thursday and Friday
afternoons.
Day Surgery Theatre 1 is used by all specialitities.
Day surgery (Llanwenarth suite)
In this unit there are two theatres, two endoscopy rooms, as well as a
four bedded recovery area with an attached ward.
Specialities in this area
Plastic surgery
Orthopaedic surgery
General surgery
Ophthalmology
Gynaecology
Community sexual health
Pain Clinics
Pre assessment
Gastroenterology Endoscopic procedures
Who works where?
Each area within main theatre and day surgery is led by a specific
Team leader;
Theatre manager
Kevin Jones
Day surgery manager
Diane Fraser
Anaesthetic main theatre
Archie Cameron
Recovery main theatre
Julie Morgan
General team main theatre
Steph Petrie
CEPOD (emergency surgery )
Jan Harrod
Gynae team main theatre
Kath Pulman
Orthopaedic team main theatre
Nicola Merry
Endoscopy
Cath James
Recovery day surgery
Jayne Rist
Anaesthetics day surgery
Kath Jones
Theatre day surgery
Vivienne David
The various disciplines within the theatre teams include anaesthetists
and surgeons , RGNs, operating department practitioners (ODP),
trainee ODP’s, nursing auxiliaries, theatre assistants and theatre
porters .
Theatre and Surgeons
Day/Theatre
Speciality
Surgeon
Yellow
General surgery
Mr Blackett
Green
Breast surgery
Miss Lefemine
Yellow
Colorectal
Mr Delicata
Yellow
Upper GI
Mr Edwards
Green
Urology
Mr Pandali
Green
Urology
Mrs Hart-Prieto
Yellow
Colorectal
Mr Arun
Yellow
Breast Surgery
Mr Gomez
Green
Upper GI
Mr Samaseker
Blue
Gynaecology
Miss S Bell-thomas
Blue
Gynaecology
Mr El Hamamy
Blue
Gynaecology
Mrs Pinto
Blue
Gynaecology
Mr G Edwards
Blue
Gynaecology
Mr Stokes
Red
Orthopaedic
ALL
Orange/Jade/DSU
Orthopaedic
Mr Walker
Orange/Jade/DSU
Orthopaedic
Mr Yogesh
Orange/Jade
Orthopaedic
Mr Parfitt
Orange/Jade
Orthopaedic
Mr Rice
Orange/Jade
Orthopaedic
Mr Davies
Orange/Jade/DSU
Orthopaedic
Mr Mackie
Orange/Jade/DSU
Orthopaedic
Mr Baker
Orange/Jade
Orthopaedic
Mr Metha
Consultant Anaesthetists
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
M Martin
Morgan-Jones
Bhanu
S Edwards
Summors
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
K Jenkins
Billing-John
Rouse
S Jeffs
Janossy
Dr Lacquiere
Dr Sreekumar
Dr M Byrnes
Dr L Evans
The anaesthetists work in all areas and also cover ITU being
supported by a number of staff grades and senior house officers.
Mentors
You will be allocated a main mentor. However, due to the nature of the
work in theatre and the fact that we want you to have as many
opportunities to see different areas of practice as possible, it will not
always be practical for you to work with that same practitioner
however we will ensure that you will be allocated a team member for
each session.
Mentor
Area of practice
Steph Petrie
General surgery – main theatre
Jan Harrod
CEPOD Theatre
Jill Jones
Ron Ocampo
Sue Goff
Christian
Orthopaedics – main theatre
Archie Cameron
Luke Bryan
Vicky Prasol
Anaesthetics –main theatre
Julie Morgan
Recovery – main theatre
Cath James
Lindsey Coffey
Endoscopy
Kath Jones
Anaesthetics – DSU
Diane Fraser
Theatre – DSU
Jayne Rist
Recovery/ward DSU
Kath Jones
Pre admission clinic
COMPETENCIES
In the following pages some suggestions have been made as to some of
the competencies you could work towards during your time in theatre.
Prior to your allocation think about what you want to experience and
achieve. It is your responsibility to work with your mentor and arrange
to produce evidence from different areas.
PRE ADMISSION
SKILLS THAT CAN BE PRACTISED
 Completion of admission procedures.
 Taking of baseline observations
 Communication with patients and relatives.
POTENTIAL COMPETENCIES
Professional and ethical practice; D2ii, E2iii, F2iii
Care delivery; A2ii,iii, B2i,ii,iii, F2I,ii,iii,iv,
WAYS OF GENERATING EVIDENCE
Work along- side pre-admission nurse observing practice and taking
part where appropriate.
ANAESTHETICS
Skills that can be practised
 Checking in of patients – the student will observe and participate
in the checking in procedure and be able to discuss the
associated clinical risks and management.
 The student will be able to discuss the importance of the
theatre/ward checklist and describe the fasting and consent
policies.
 The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to
communicate with patients, relatives and carers in an
appropriate manner
 The student will participate in the communication process
between theatre and recovery and members of the
multidisciplinary team.
 The student will be able to describe different types of anaesthetic
and its effects on patients.
 The student will observe airway management and assist where
possible
Potential competencies
 Professional and ethical practice, B2iii, C2ii, C3iii, E2i, F2i,
 Care delivery, B2i, C2i, iii, E2i, iii, F2 iv, J2ii,
 Care management, C2 iii, D2i,
How can evidence be generated
Work with a qualified anaesthetic nurse or operating department
practitioner at all times in order to care for patients undergoing
anaesthesia, support the patient during this period and
communicate with carers as necessary. Observe and take part in
communication with other areas and members of the
multidisciplinary tea,
THEATRE
Skills that can be practised
 The student will have the opportunity to learn how to scrub and
maintain a sterile field by observing and taking part in operative
procedures.
 The student will have the opportunity to act as a “circulating
nurse” by helping to give the scrubbed practitioner the equipment
and supplementaries needed for each case, this will give chance
to help maintain a sterile field
 The student will have opportunities to take the skill of
handwashing one step further in to the skill of scrubbing
 The student will be able to observe how infection control is
applied to practice and to dispose safely of body fluids
 The student will have opportunities to deal with surgical
specimens
 The student will be able to support patients undergoing local
procedures and communicate with them.
 The student will have the opportunity to take part in
multidisciplinary care of patients
 The student will have the opportunity to complete documentation
and pass on information to other areas of care.
Potential competencies
Care delivery; E2i,ii,iii, F2ii,
Care management; C2ii, iii, D2i,ii,
Suggestions for evidence generation
The student will work along side the scrub team and have the
opportunities to take part under supervision in aspects of patient
care. They will be given the opportunity to scrub and watch or assist
in an operative procedure, help in the care of specimens, maintain
infection control etc.
RECOVERY AND WARD AREA (DSU)
Skills that can be practised
 Maintain a patients airway
 Care of drains, catheters, IVI
 Maintain patients fluid balance
 Care for a patient following different types of anaesthetic
 Take and record observations
 Communicate with other members of the multidisciplinary team
 Pass on information regarding the plan of care
 Change the plan of care if necessary
 Overcoming barriers to communication caused by anaesthetics
Potential competencies
Professional and ethical practice C2ii,iii, D2ii,
Care delivery C2i,iii, E2i, F2ii,iv, H2i,ii,iii,iv,
Care management C2ii,iii, D2i,ii,
Suggestions for evidence generation
The student nurse will work alongside the recovery and/or ward staff
to care for the patient following anaesthesia, opportunities will be
given to maintain airways, monitor and record patients vital signs,
communicate with patients and family members. If the nurse is
working on the ward they will have the opportunity to be involved
with the discharge process.
ENDOSCOPY
Skills that can be practised
 Support the patient undergoing endoscopic procedures and
maintain dignity at all times.
 Observe the anatomy and physiology associated with endoscopic
procedures
 Take the opportunity to be involved with the admission of
patients on the endoscopy list
 Observe and record any changes in the patient’s condition and be
involved with changes in to the plan of care
 Spend time in the wash room and take part in the health and
safety considerations of caring for scopes.
Potential competencies that could be gained
Professional and ethical practice A2i,ii,iii, C2ii,iii, D2ii,
Care delivery C2i,iii, F2iv,
Care management D2i,ii,
Suggested ways to generate evidence
Spend time observing in endoscopy and take the opportunity to
watch all parts of the area, admission, procedures and the wash
room.
University of South Wales
Link lecturer
Cheryl Phillips
Tel: 01443 483818
E.mail: cphilli1@glam.ac.uk
Cardiff University
Link lecturer:
Anna Jones
Tel: 02920 91 7769
E.mail :jonesa23@cf.ac.uk