Elements and Performance Criteria
- Monitor the performance of equipment used
- Observe equipment to ensure correct operation
- Switch on warning devices and ensure that it is registering that the equipment is safe
- Ensure gas, electrical, vacuum supplies are adequate for procedure at hand and/or back-up supply is available
- Observe equipment whilst in use and, if a fault develops, take immediate action to avoid danger to clients, staff and equipment
- Follow established procedures to rectify faulty equipment
- Attach and detach client attachments as required
- Use personal protective equipment
- Select appropriate client attachments and ensure equipment is attached safely and securely to appropriate sites
- Re-position client attachments during theatre procedures as required
- Safely detach client attachments when no longer required with minimum risk of damage to client, staff or equipment
- Provide counter-traction during orthopaedic and plastic procedures and manipulations as directed
- Connect irrigation as directed
- Select correct irrigation for operative procedure under the guidance of the surgical medical staff in correct sequence as required
- Check irrigation type, sterile integrity and expiry date
- Connect irrigation to sterile giving set using correct aseptic techniques
- Change irrigation using aseptic techniques
- Communicate the volume, type and number of irrigation bags to scout nurse
- Dispose of used irrigation bags/giving sets according to organisational policy and procedures
- Adjust surgical equipment
- Turn on/off surgical equipment under the guidance of medical staff and within manufacturers guidelines
- Connect surgical equipment to electrical, vacuum, gas supply as required, and in accordance with standard operating procedures
- Adjust surgical equipment settings to suit the surgical medical staff and in consultation with anaesthetic medical staff as required and within manufacturers guidelines
- Communicate readings to surgical/anaesthetic medical staff as required
- Communicate alarms/warnings, abnormal readings and equipment usage times to medical staff as required
- Use aseptic techniques to pass sterile equipment/lines from the surgical team and connect to surgical equipment
- Disconnect /reconnect surgical equipment, move and adjust during medical emergencies, repositioning of client and/or change of surgical procedure under the guidance of medical and nursing staff.