British journal of perioperative nursing : the journal of the National Association of Theatre Nurses
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All patients undergoing general anaesthetic are at risk of acid aspiration, particularly in emergency situations when they have not been starved preoperatively. To minimise the risk of acid aspiration, anaesthetists and anaesthetic nurses employ Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia, cricoid pressure and endotracheal intubation. Knowledge of airway anatomy, airway management techniques, anaesthetic agents, muscle relaxant drugs, and Sellick's Manoeuvre help the anaesthetic nurse ensure the safety of the high risk patient.
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With the ongoing debate on New Ways of Working in the National Health Service, the role of nurses and other perioperative practitioners in anaesthetics is becoming an increasingly prominent issue. The opening up of new anaesthetic roles to nurses and their non-medical colleagues raises questions as to their own acceptance of these new roles and their acceptance by their medical colleagues. In this article, the author addresses the question as to whether perioperative practitioners are ready for the nurse anaesthetist, and whether the UK as a whole is ready for this initiative.
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Predicting which patients will experience postoperative nausea and vomiting is difficult. Prophylactic antiemetic administration has been shown to reduce unplanned admission after day case surgery. ⋯ The recent withdrawal of droperidol due to reports of cardiac arrhythmias and the potential for sudden death has left a vacancy for a safe and effective antiemetic. This article explores the published literature for alternatives to droperidol as a single dose or prophylaxis in patient controlled analgesia devices.
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Laryngoscope blades and handles that have been inadequately decontaminated or are unsterile can be harmful to patients. The literature suggests that this may be a current problem in many operating departments. David Pidduck examines the risks to patients that could be posed by current practice, reviews the literature on the subject, and makes some recommendations for change. He encourages nurses and operating department practitioners (ODPs) to take a more proactive approach to highlighting these problems.