Prepare surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team
Overview
This standard covers the preparation of surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team. This includes the preparation of the sterile trolley, surgical instruments and supplementary equipment.
You will be working in a 'scrubbed' role whilst undertaking these activities.
All actions and decisions should be carried out in accordance with current legislation, organisational policies, clinical protocols, and professional standards.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in preparing surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team
P2. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
P3. prepare and maintain sterile instrumentation and supplementary items in a designated preparation area to ensure asepsis
P4. select and prepare the correct surgical instrumentation and supplementary items according to the clinical specialty and the anticipated requirements of the operative procedure
P5. check date-controlled items and confirm them as being within their expiry date
P6. safely handle, move and check surgical instrumentation and supplementary items in line with manufacturer's instructions, confirming them as safe and functioning correctly before preparing them ready for use
P7. set up surgical equipment in line with manufacturer's instructions, and to meet the needs of the operative procedure and the individuals' plans of care
P8. count and record instruments, needles, swabs and supplementary items prior to commencement in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
P9. prepare the surgical trolley, positioning surgical instrumentation and supplementary items in a way which facilitates their access and use, according to the anticipated sequence of the operative procedure
P10. complete all relevant documentation records and reports required for preparing surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. the current legislation, local guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
K4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
K6. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others and the potential consequences of poor practice
K7. the role of regulatory bodies in relation to medical and healthcare products and regulations relating to medical devices
K8. the principles of asepsis in relation to the preparation of surgical instruments and supplementary items
K9. the types, purpose and function of surgical instruments and supplementary items in common use in the clinical specialties relevant to your practice
K10. the factors to consider in selecting surgical instruments and supplementary items
K11. the importance of adhering to manufacturers' instructions regarding the preparation of surgical instruments and supplementary items
K12. the importance of checking and confirming that surgical instruments and supplementary items are in a suitable condition prior to use
K13. the types of procedure carried out in the clinical specialties relevant to your practice
K14. the importance of following procedures for the tracking and traceability of surgical materials and instruments during preparation
K15. the importance of checking and confirming that surgical instruments and supplementary items are in a suitable condition prior to use
K16. the criteria and methods for checking the sterility of surgical instruments and supplementary items to be used
K17. ways in which the sterile field can be compromised by those working outside it, and how this can be avoided
K18. the specific lines of accountability within the surgical team
K19. how to complete records and reports required for preparing surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team