Elements and Performance Criteria
- Work as part of the multi-disciplinary health care team in the perioperative environment
- Contribute appropriately to support the role of the multi-disciplinary health care team in managing care needs of clients in the perioperative environment
- Contribute to achieving effective team work and supportive group dynamics when working with health care colleagues
- Establish appropriate relationships with other members of the health care team
- Incorporate into practice the philosophical framework for managing care for the client in the perioperative environment
- Recognise the role of emergency service personnel, referring agencies and other hospital department staff as contributors to the initial/emergency care needs of the client in the perioperative environment
- Maintain professional communication with all members of the perioperative team
- Contribute to assessment of client undergoing surgical intervention
- Perform a holistic assessment of the client within the perioperative environment in conjunction with registered nurse/midwife, taking into account the client's physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
- Recognise significant findings in physiological and/or psychological variables promptly and report to appropriate health team members
- Use contemporary perioperative assessment tools accurately
- Communicate effectively with clients, their significant others and other health team members
- Provide holistic client centred care in the perioperative environment
- Document perioperative assessment including any special needs identified for the client
- Contribute to planning care for perioperative client
- Develop an individualised plan of care for client in the perioperative environment in conjunction with registered nurse/midwife and in consultation/collaboration with the client and the health care team
- Participate with registered nurse/midwife to ensure nursing care plan reflects specific nursing care requirements in accordance with health unit policy
- Participate with registered nurse/ midwife to ensure care plan reflects client's current nursing needs and nursing actions designed to maximise physical function and minimise potential complications
- Demonstrate understanding of risk management principles in planning client care
- Confirm that planned care and therapeutic interventions aim to assist client/s to achieve optimal health outcomes
- Identify requirements of client (and identified significant other/s) for health promotion and education to enhance implementation of nursing care plan
- Carry out regular review of plan of care and, in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife, modify to reflect changes in client condition
- Identify and report any potential for adverse client outcome, using information gained through perioperative assessment
- In consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse, ensure health teaching and discharge planning is incorporated into practice, in line with established policies and procedures for discharge/transfer
- Perform clinical nursing actions appropriate to care of perioperative clients
- Prioritise nursing interventions according to client needs, in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife
- Modify nursing interventions using critical thinking and problem solving approaches, to reflect changes in client condition
- Perform nursing interventions to assist client (and significant other/s) to meet expected outcomes of nursing care plan, including health promotion and/or education
- Maintain a safe environment appropriate for the age specific population
- Monitor nursing interventions, identify any that fail to address client needs and revise them in consultation/collaboration with the health care team
- Perform contemporary nursing interventions for the client within the perioperative environment as part of the health care team
- In conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife, implement an individualised plan of care for the client within the perioperative environment
- Recognise environmental hazards and take advantage of every opportunity to reduce risk and promote safety
- Check equipment according to manufacturer recommendations, ensure proper functioning and take corrective action and report when faulty equipment and/or environmental hazards are detected
- Apply the principles of infection control to all activities within the perioperative environment, applying a surgical conscience at all times in line with ACORN standards
- Ensure appropriate perioperative diagnostic procedures are undertaken in line with organisation policies and procedures
- Implement appropriate perioperative surgical procedures in line with organisation policies and procedures
- Ensure medication administration is based on sound knowledge of principles of drug actions and side effects in accordance with health unit policies and procedures
- Evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and planned care in the perioperative environment
- Evaluate responses of client/s and identified significant other/s to nursing interventions, and modify and document in accordance with health unit policy and in conjunction with registered nurse/ midwife
- Assess client understanding of their condition, medications and therapeutic regimes prior to discharge/transfer
- Evaluate client acceptance of specific health promotion initiatives prior to discharge/transfer
- Assess and review understanding of identified significant other/s in relation to current condition of client and their ongoing management
- Monitor client's response to nursing interventions and progress toward planned goals, and document and report to the appropriate members of the health care team
- Identify appropriate emergency response to adverse reactions or perioperative complications and initiate as required
- Report and document any emergency treatment and the client's response to the treatment