The Theatre Nurse & Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)
The Theatre Nurse is a valuable member of the team. If they are supported and empowered to take full ownership of their role, the risk of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and other complications is reduced. Below we will highlight the 10 responsibilities of a Theatre Nurse, but firstly let's look at what HAIs are and what exactly we are dealing with in the veterinary environment.
What is an HAI?
Top Veterinary HAIs
The most common Hospital Aquired Infections (HAIs) associated with receiving veterinary care can be divided into five categories:- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
- Bloodstream Infections
- Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
- Pneumonia
- Infectious Diarrhoea
Reducing Risk of HAIs
Effective infection control and setting up biosecurity protocols in your practice aims to identify, reduce, or mitigate risks of HAIs. During a surgical procedure it is the responsibility of the operating Veterinary Surgeon and Theatre Nurse to reduce a patient's risk and susceptibility of HAIs - specifically Surgical Site Infections.
The 10 Roles of The Theatre Nurse
The role of the Theatre Nurse is key in ensuring surgical procedures run smoothly and all risks are identified and reasonably reduced. With this responsibility comes an umbrella of tasks to manage including:
- Ensuring appropriate scheduling and ordering of the procedures for the day
- Preparing the theatre environment
- Preparing and organising the induction area
- Ensuring appropriate surgical preparation of the patient
- Monitoring the patient and surgical environment peri-operatively
- Ensuring all staff in the theatre environment are adopting correct handwashing protocols and wearing appropriate PPE
- Assisting the veterinary surgeon as required during surgery
- Communicating the patient’s procedure and recovery needs to the kennel team
- Decontaminating and re-setting up of the theatre
- Ensuring effective communication (and training where necessary) of theatre biosecurity protocols
Want to Learn More About Infection Control & Biosecurity?
Pioneer offers free on-demand veterinary CPD for vets and nurses. Our on-demand quality training can be completed at your own pace, and features Course Assessments and downloadable Certificates of Completion.
Infection Control Course Syllabus
- Introduction To Infection Control and Biosecurity
- The cycle of Infection & Cleaning Protocols
- Biosecurity For Cattery & Kennel Management
- Biosecurity For Isolation and Barrier Nursing
- Theatre Protocols & Infection Control
- Implementing & Auditing Biosecurity Protocols
