Journal of perioperative practice
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The structure of theatre management should ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate care available, with every team member knowing their role and their expected contribution in order to meet the needs of the patient. Inter-professional healthcare is an integral feature of the NHS and this article will focus on the interaction and teamwork experienced in the theatre department between qualified nurses and qualified operating department practitioners (ODPs) and the perceived differences and similarities in their roles both historically and in future practice. Taylor and Campbell (1999) state the operating department is unique in that various members of the multidisciplinary teams are all present at the same time and work together for the successful completion of the perioperative period of care. Anonymous clinical examples have been used to highlight certain points and to illustrate the differing roles of the perioperative staff.
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This article, written by a third year diploma student in operating department practice, examines the literature relating to the safe use of cricoid pressure. To ensure that the patient is adequately protected from acid aspiration syndrome, the anaesthetic practitioner should be aware of the dangers of faulty technique when utilising Sellick's manoeuvre.