Essay on 3 Key Aspects of the Anaesthetic Nurse Role

The CRNA has deeper understanding of disease processes, pharmacological treatment and technological interventions when caring for patients. Advance practice comes with a high level of responsibility; furthermore, increased autonomy is why I aspire to advance my nursing practice. I want to be the nurse that eases my patient’s way through what may be the most stressful time in their life. During my anesthesia shadowing experience I witnessed the complexity and compassionate care that the CRNA provided safely and efficiently. Most importantly I observed clear communication that was vital to all involved in the care of the patient’s unique needs. My shadowing experience fueled my drive to continue to pursuing CRNA School and extend my knowledge at the

Nurse Anesthetists are also known as CRNA, which means Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Being a CRNA, one has big shoes to fill when it comes to their job. CRNA’s work with anesthesiologist surgeons and other physicians and medical professionals to give anesthesia to patients undergoing medical and surgical procedures. CRNA’s care for patients before, during and after a medical or surgery by doing a patient assessment , preparing the patient for anesthesia, they must maintain the anesthesia throughout the whole procedure to secure the proper sedation, and pain management, and as a CRNA they must make sure the patient recovers from the anesthesia properly. CRNA’s usually overshadow anesthesiologists. They perform much of the work

At least half a million deaths per year could be prevented with effective implementation of systemic improvements in operating rooms. Specifically, multiple studies have found implementing the use of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist would significantly reduce surgical morbidity and mortality due to surgical errors.

This essay discusses and reflects upon patient care in the post anaesthetic care unit (PACU) and is linked to my experiences on placement. It discusses how my approach to patient care has been challenged and analyses how evidence based practice can create a change in the way patients are cared for. It reviews the processes of managing the perioperative environment and evaluates the implications for practice when applying a change in healthcare. Wicker and O’Neill (2010) state that “The lack of immediate medical support in the recovery room means that practitioners work in a more autonomous role than any other area of the operating department” (p.379). By reflecting upon my experiences I am able to link practical and theoretical aspects of the operating department practitioner (ODP) job role. This will provide me with a greater understanding of professional practice and it will develop my personal knowledge and self-awareness (Forrest, 2008). Using a model of reflection is important as it provides a framework that can be systematically followed and acts as a guide through the process of reflection. For this essay I have chosen to use the Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) as it provides a methodical guide to reflection using a series of ordered questions that each lead to the next stage of the cycle (Forrest, 2008).

The role of the nurse anesthetist gradually developed as the demand increased for individuals who were highly and meticulously trained in anesthesia administration in an era where knowledge of germs, antisepsis and surgical interventions was emerging. During the 1800s, medical students were often responsible in the administration of anesthesia under the direct supervision of surgeons but the increased mortality rates in intraoperative patients suggested the need to reevaluate who would provide anesthesia. As a result of negative patient outcomes, surgeons turned to nurses, who served to be an adequate and reliable replacement. This trend proved to be catalytic in the movement of the nurse anesthetist.

With change comes evolution. Most professions, specifically nurse anesthetist, as we know them today did not begin in the state they are in today. They grew through trial and error. Before revealing the history of this profession and most important, its leading pioneer, one must be familiar with the role of a nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists, often confused with anesthesiologists, are nurses with baccalaureate degrees in nursing and master degrees in anesthesia who are responsible for administering anesthetics to patients preoperational. Contrary, anesthesiologists are physicians whose education requires a baccalaureate degree as well as medical schooling with special education in anesthesia. However, the anesthesia part of the education is very similar for both providers (KANA. 2011).

The task force team should consist of surgeons, anesthesiologists, risk control specialists, operating room nurses, quality management staff, and research analysts. Medical staff can explain to the team how complications from miscommunication or poor labeling have an impact on the patient's health and require expensive resources such as operating room or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A member of the risk management department might report on how much miscommunication or poor labeling costs the organization in malpractice claims and lawsuits, and someone from utilization might explain how much miscommunication or poor labeling costs the organization in excess days of stay. Someone in public relations might explore how poor publicity has had an impact on the volume of patients. Too often people in one department do not communicate with people in other departments.

(History of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. 2010, May), (Koch, E., Downey, P., Kelly, J. W., & Wilson, W. 2001).

Do you want to help save a life in the medical field but not do all the dirty work? Well being a nurse anesthetist is the perfect job for you. You get to be involved with the surgery and you don't need to even touch the insides of another person. Betty Horton, a experienced CRNA, says “Beings a nurse anesthetist is the best job you could ever have. It started my life off and made other things in my life accomplishable.” There are 170,400 jobs available to become a nurse anesthetist. That means there is 170,400 opportunities to help save someone's life. I believe that college is important in order to become a successful nurse anesthetist.

Surgery has four most danger variables: infection, bleeding, anesthesia, and unexpected complications. If one knows their colleagues or group members, which leads to proper understanding, teamwork and communication. Brian Sexton clearly tells about the harms of no proper communication, as its kind of separation from the activity and brings absence of responsibility among colleagues performing a task for a single result which is a success of surgery here. Gawande had a troublesome circumstance with a patient with a terrible coagulation. The surgery had un-elucidated entanglements, yet all together they worked firmly to bring the patient through. Some of the time groups simply work like that. Some similar checklists have a stage where colleagues converse with one another researchers called it “activation phenomenon”, so theirs a check where everyone has to introduce themselves by their name and roles. This stride may build general group correspondence and individual responsibility, which increases the feel of accountability and

In accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO 2008) checklist and Local trust policies, a team briefing was held before the day’s list started. The checklist is part of a second Global Patient Safety Challenge initiative entitled ‘Safe Surgery Saves Lives’, aimed at reducing the number of surgical deaths worldwide and was launched in June 2008. This not

The role of the recovery nurse covers many aspects. Nurses within the recovery setting provide short-term critical care to patient’s post-anaesthesia. The recovery area is designed to aid the nurses in the support, monitoring and assessment of post-anaesthetic patients (Dougherty and Lister, 2011). Nurses will aid the reversal of the anaesthetic effect, so the patient is able to maintain their own airway (AAGBI 2002). Once the patient is clinically recovered, they will be transferred to the discharge lounge. It is the recovery nurse’s responsibility to ensure the patient is well

Knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical medicine are absolutely necessary to the anesthesiologist. (“Anesthesiology”)

By doing this, it emphasizes team awareness of risks, improves the likelihood locating or missing hidden objects, and heightens awareness of patient safety among all of the members—improves a patients’ surgical outcome (Edel, 2010).

Urgency of acute care varies depending on the situation but can range to anything from emergency surgeries, to injuries, chronic illnesses, and also for the recovery of those procedures. Majority of the patients in acute care settings are critically ill. Nursing responsibilities in acute care settings are vital to patient’s recovery due to the front line position nurses play as well as the wide variety of tasks carried out. Assessments are made during every encounter the nurse has with the patient along with monitoring the patient’s progress. Nurses are responsible for recognizing symptoms the patient may be experiencing due to illness or injury and whether they fall in the spectrum of normal reactions. Vital signs are measured routinely and can be indicators of the patient’s current status. When vitals are questioned diagnostic tests can be arranged to further assess possible comorbidities the patient may have. Care plans are made to plan interventions the health care team can take to help patients through challenges they face, both physical and mental. Nurses administer medications as well as first aid as needed. They are responsible for maintaining special equipment patients may require including monitors and ventilators are well.