STUDENT ORIENTATION/LEARNING

PACKAGE

Placement Area:- MAIN THEATRE SUITE

Student Name :-

Mentors :-

Start Date:-

Revised – March 2016

Lorna Rattray & Jenny Clarke
Senior Staff Nurse
Main Theatre Suite
PRI

Welcome to Main Theatre Suite, Perth Royal Infirmary.

Your mentor will be: -
On your first day please come at 0800hours.
Please make your way to the Main theatre suite reception situated on level 1

and ring the front door bell. You will be met by a staff member and directed to

the changing facilities. The changing facilities are all secure coded doors. If

for any reason you cannot make your placement because of sickness or other

circumstances please phone :473800 and ask to speak to the nurse in

charge.

Theatre greens and clogs will be provided for you to use during placement.

When leaving the department it is expected that you change from theatre

greens to your own clothes at all times. It is advised that you bring your own

lunch/snacks as the majority of breaks are taken within the department

however the canteen is also available for all staff.

Tea and coffee is available within the department and there are a number of

sweet and food machines. There is also a microwave for heating food.

On your arrival at the unit you will be introduced to your mentor and associate

mentors. You will be given an information package about the department

when you arrive although you can also download this pack online on the

CPPSU website. We hope your experience with us will give you a good

insight into the role of the peri-operative nurse in meeting the bio-psycho-

social needs of the patients in our care. We look forward to meeting you and
hope that you use your experience with us to enhance the care you provide

for patients.

INTRODUCTION TO UNIT

The Main theatre suite is within the Critical Care Directorate and comprises
Of:-

Main Theatre Suite

Day Surgery Unit – Assessment Room, Treatment Room,
Paediatric, Minor Plastic, General, Ortho, Urology, Dental
Gynaecology Theatre – Women’s Surgery, Gynaecology, Breast Surgery
Intensive Therapy Unit

Opportunities may be given to visit these areas during your placement.

The Main theatre suite itself comprises of:-

Reception area

Five theatres

Theatre’s one and two – Emergency general surgery

Elective general surgery
Urology

Theatre’s three, four and five – Orthopaedic surgery

Trauma

Recovery

The Main theatre suite provides a twenty-four hour service.

The Theatre Manager is Stuart Jack

The Senior Charge nurses are Sarah Wardlaw and Kerstin Poppe
When phoning in absent please call 01738 623311 [Ninewells Switchboard]
and ask for Bleep No 5194, Main Theatre Suite, Perth Royal Infirmary.
Please phone as near the start of your shift as possible.

Theatre Etiquette
Perth Royal Infirmary

* As per Theatre Policy*

*Masks must be worn by all members of staff, above the nose, must be tied at
back in specialty specific.
*Hats must cover all hair, covering fringes etc
*No jewellery, including watches, except for plain wedding bands. No gem
stones or braided rings.
No nail varnish, nail extensions or French polish.
*At least 1 member of staff must remain in theatre, along with anaesthetic
nurse, whilst patient is in anaesthetic room/theatre, in case of emergency
*All doors must be kept closed to enable airflow to work efficiently *Do not
enter the laminar flow unless scrubbed
*please address all enquires to scrub nurse, do not shout across theatre
*Entrance to theatre must be prep room only
*Please be aware of excess staffing i.e. medical & nursing students and
company reps. Keep to a minimum. *No unnecessary chattering
*Please be tolerant of anaesthetic and theatre turnaround times. Do not enter
the anaesthetic room whilst the anaesthetic is in progress
*Mobile phones must NOT be taken into theatre
*At the end of each case, trays can be sprayed with enzyme cleaner and
wrapped. Do not remove from theatre mid case without the surgeon’s consent
 PHILOSOPHY / STATEMENT OF VALUES IN RELATION TO THE
EDUCATION OF STUDENT / LEARNERS

We encourage student and post registration staff alike to ask questions and
keep notes to assist memory and reflective practice. We expect the same
students / learners to assist their own learning by developing and
demonstrating a questioning proactive approach.

We look forward to hearing their views and suggestions and invite them to
speak at the beginning and end of their placement, indeed at any other time,
with the Senior Charge Nurse who operates an open door policy and will help
where able towards the resolution of any work related concerns and or those
out of the work place in a confidential setting with the aim of supporting the
individual and enhancing the learning experience.

 We will treat students as individuals, acknowledging their needs and

encouraging their participation and understanding
 We will encourage them to feel as if they are members of the team.
They will be supported
 We recognise and value the contribution of all learners / students in the
process of planning and carrying out patient care
 We will provide a sign off mentor and associate mentor for each
learner / student.
ROLE OF YOUR MENTOR

During your placement you will be given 2 mentors who have overall
responsibility for your assessment booklet [one mentor and one associate
mentor]. However there are trained nurses within each speciality i.e.
anaesthetics, general scrub, orthopaedic scrub and recovery who will look
after the students. The mentors will facilitate your learning within each area.
If your first mentor is on annual leave, sick or on days off you can be allocated
to your associates mentors to support and assist you. When possible if staff
are going on annual leave or are on long term sick we would not allocate them
a student.

You will liaise with your mentors as much as possible. Time will be allocated
for you and your mentors whenever possible to discuss all learning needs and
objectives.

If you are unable to work with your mentors on any particular day or week
there will always be trained nurses available or allocated by your mentors to
support and assist you.

It is important that all half-way and final assessments between mentors and
student are met. This is a good time to discuss on a structured basis learning
objectives, achievements and any general comments regarding the
placement.

Overall responsibility for students in the in Main Theatre are -

Senior Staff Nurse Lorna Rattray and Senior Staff Nurse Jenny Clarke
ORIENTATION PLAN – MAIN THEATRE SUITE
DATE MENTOR STUDENT
SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
Introduced to
staff
Staff facilities
Including security
of property
Discuss hours of
working/off duty
requests
Identify
procedures for
reporting
sickness
Knowledge of
theatre layout
and store rooms
Fire
points/procedures
Location of
emergency
buzzers in
recovery and
reception
Location of arrest
trolley, difficult
intubation trolley
and re-intubation
trolley
Telephone
numbers for
cardiac arrest,
bleeping system,
fire and
switchboard
Identify location
of national and
local
policies/procedur
es/guidelines and
NMC
documentation
Identify
procedures for
reporting
accidents/incident
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

During your placement in theatre you will have an opportunity to participate in

nursing care which reflects holistic concepts emphasising human values

maintaining the identity and dignity of each individual patient.

Throughout the placement you will become a member of a multi-disciplinary

team. This will enable you to communicate with all levels of staff involved in

the patient’s journey through theatre. You will gain awareness and

understanding of the theatre nurse’s role in that journey. You will also be

introduced to the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative role by

gaining an insight into the care provided in; -

RECEPTION

ANAESTHETICS

CIRCULATING

SCRUBBING

RECOVERY

During your time in the department it is the student’s responsibility to identify

any learning needs and or learning objectives. This is to be discussed with

your mentor/associate mentor. Any guidance and knowledge from your

mentors in the opportunities within the department for learning can be

highlighted and identified.

Make sure that all written objectives are achievable within the time frame

allowed, and they are realistic.

The objectives that are written in the next few pages are a basic guide to the

care provided in all areas of the department but if you have your own personal

objectives already set do not hesitate to use them. There is a blank sheet at

the back of the package for any extra written objectives. Once objectives are

achieved sign and date copy.

RECEPTION COMPLETED INITIALS
DATE
The importance of good communication
between Ward staff and theatre staff

Understanding of transfer systems of

patients from ward to theatre

The importance of correct documentation:-

PATIENT TICKET
TPAR chart
x-rays
medical notes
nursing notes
WHO surgical safety checklist added to
Documentation in reception

The importance of the theatre checklist –

Patient ticket has been filled in by patient

Patient identification/name band
Consent
Identification and marking of operative site
Fasting
Pre-medication

The importance of maintaining a quiet,

safe environment for patients

The importance of safe transfer of the

patient from the bed to the transfer trolley

The importance of receiving visitors and

signing the visitors book
ANAESTHETIC ROOM COMPLETED INITIALS
DATE

The importance of communication

between reception, anaesthetic and
theatre staff re the patients needs,
relevant documentation and surgical
preparation prior to surgery.
Understanding of the WHO sign in and
patient ticket.

ANAESTHESIA
1 Equipment –
Induction equipment
Anaesthetic machine
Intubation/extubation
Monitoring equipment
Bair hugger
Fluid warmer

2 Anaesthetic drugs –
Induction agents
Neuromuscular Relaxants
Volatile Anaesthetics
Analgesics
Reversal drugs
Local anaesthetics
Understanding of the drugs used in
anaesthesia and their uses and
effects

3 Types of anaesthetics – General

Spinal
Epidural
Regional
Block
Local
 ANAESTHETIC ROOM

4 Fluid replacement - Crystalloid

Blood and blood
Products
Colloids

5 Complications of anaesthesia

6 Invasive and Non- Invasive Monitoring

Understand and participate in

catheterisation

Care of the unconscious/immobilised

patient –

Positioning of patients
Use of table attachments
Importance of maintaining body
temperature
Measures to minimise problems
related to –
Circulation
Nerve damage
Skin Injury

Knowledge and importance of

documentation –
Anaesthetic care plan, fluid chart, and
blue form

CIRCULATING COMPLETED INITIALS

DATE
Participate in the preparation and the
checking of equipment prior to the
commencement of operating list:-

Suction
Diathermy
Tourniquet
Positioning Aids

An understanding of the operating table

attachments

Maintaining asepsis and the sterile field:-

Assist with gowning of scrub team

Demonstrate correct opening of gown
pack/trays
Demonstrate correct opening of sterile
packs/instruments

Understand universal precautions

Have knowledge and participate (with

supervision) in instrument and swab needle
count

Importance of documentation and blood loss

Participate in collection and disposal of

specimens
Understanding of the WHO sign out

Disposal of waste in accordance of local

policy
SCRUBBING COMPLETED INITIALS
DATE

The importance of the WHO surgical pause

and patient ticket prior to procedure – identify
patient and date of birth, check consent,
allergies, antibiotics given, any other
concerns.

Learn the principles and participate in a

teaching session with an experienced scrub
practitioner:-

Scrubbing
Gowning
Gloving

Participate in a teaching session with an

experienced scrub practitioner:-

Setting up a trolley
Receiving sterile items
Handing over instruments

Double scrub for operations with supervision

with an experienced scrub practitioner:-

Perform tray check prior to surgery

Check patient details and consent
Set up and maintain sterile field
Ask for and receive sterile items
Perform final check
Apply dressings and remove drapes

RECOVERY COMPLETED INITIALS

DATE
Have a knowledge of the role of the
recovery nurse

Participate in the preparation of the

recovery area carrying out the necessary
duties of the recovery team

Participate in the safe recovery of patients

following:-

General anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic
Epidural
Spinal

Understand the use of monitoring

equipment in conjunction with the clinical
observations of patients following
anaesthesia and surgery:-

Invasive monitoring
Non-invasive monitoring
ECG
Pulse oximetry

Assist the recovery nurse:-

Maintaining the airway

Use of oxygen therapy
Removing LMA/Guedel airway
Use of suction
Fluid therapy/blood and fluid warmer
Pain scoring and pain control measures
Temperature control

Understanding of the drugs their uses and

effects used in anaesthesia

The importance of documentation and

communication between theatre and ward.
The importance of completion the WHO
surgical safety checklist.
YOUR OWN LEARNING COMPLETED INITIALS
OBJECTIVES DATE

QUESTIONNAIRE
To enable us to know whether this learning package and time within the

department has been beneficial to you it would be helpful if you could

complete this questionnaire.

If you have any comments or suggestions they will be greatly received.

Complete anonymity will be maintained throughout. There is no pressure to

complete this questionnaire. Thanks.

(Please circle answers)

1 How did you find the content of the package

Helpful Too much information

Unhelpful Not enough information

Informative Not needed

2 Did you find the layout of the package

Muddled In a good order

Well laid out Hard to understand

3 Did you find the outlined learning objectives suitable for your level of

training

Yes No

1 If using these objectives as a guide did you find them helpful

Yes No
(If no why?)

5 Did you feel that you had enough time with your mentor during your
 placement

Yes No

If no why?

6 Did you find that theatre was a suitable placement for your level of

training

Yes No

If no why?

Thanks for your time.

Revised – MARCH 2016

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