PCS24 Perform the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures

Overview

This standard covers the non-scrubbed circulating role, assisting perioperative teams during perioperative procedures. This involves preparing and positioning clinical medical devices and equipment, providing these items to the surgical team and monitoring the items used. You will be working under the guidance of a registered practitioner.  Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. The current European and National legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols in accordance with Clinical/Corporate Governance which affect your work practice in relation to performing the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures
2. Your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols and Clinical/Corporate Governance
3. The duty to report any acts or omissions in care that could be detrimental to yourself, other individuals or your employer
4. The importance of working within your own sphere of competence when assisting operating department teams in perioperative procedures and seeking advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence
5. The role of regulatory bodies in relation to medical and healthcare products
6. The application of standard precautions to the provision and monitoring of medical devices and equipment and the potential consequences of poor practice
7. The principles of asepsis in relation to:
   1. the provision of medical devices to the surgical team
   2. maintenance of sterile field
8. The potential consequences of poor practice in relation to the preparation, provision and monitoring of medical devices and equipment
9. The types and explain the purpose, function and potential hazards of medical devices used for surgical interventions
10. The requirements for, suitability of, and types of surgical instrumentation for different procedures and clinical specialities
11. The importance of adhering to manufacturers’ instructions regarding the specific care and use of medical devices
12. Procedures for identifying and reporting problems in medical devices
13. The action to take if problems are identified with medical devices which have been requested
14. Equipment used for:
    1. weighing swabs
    2. counting instruments
15. The potential hazards associated with the preparation of equipment and how they can be avoided or minimised
16. Ways in which the sterile field can be compromised by those working outside it, and how this can be avoided
17. The principles and techniques for counting and monitoring surgical items and swabs
18. The importance of correctly weighing swabs in the estimation of blood loss
19. The importance of checking and confirming that medical devices are in a suitable condition prior to use
20. Safe moving and handling principles and techniques
21. The criteria and methods for checking and maintaining the sterility of medical devices used in clinical procedures
22. The circulating role and responsibility for maintaining the sterile field
23. The agreed lines of communication within clinical teams in relation to requesting and providing medical devices during clinical procedures
24. The procedural differences, responsibilities and accountability in relation to counting, monitoring and checking items which you handle yourself, and those which are handled only by others in the team
25. The importance of recording all information clearly and precisely in the correct documentation
26. The importance of reporting all information to the registered practitioner
27. The importance of correctly recording swab and instrument counts
28. The importance of immediately reporting any issues which are outside your own sphere of competence without delay to the relevant member of staff

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and other relevant health and safety measures
2. ensure that your position and movements do not compromise the sterile field
3. take appropriate action without delay if there is any breakdown of the sterile field
4. obtain, prepare and position the requested medical devices and equipment correctly in an appropriate manner and time, according to the patient’s clinical status and as requested
5. take appropriate action where you identify a problem in relation to an item
6. promptly clarify any uncertainty over requirements with a registered practitioner
7. obtain the correct items, check and maintain integrity of items, and make selected item available to the appropriate member of the team in the prescribed manner, manufacturers instruction and organisational policies and procedures
8. monitor and count surgical items with the registered practitioner, in line with organisational policies and procedures
9. handle and connect medical devices and equipment safely and correctly, in line with manufacturers’ instructions and organisational policies
10. ensure waste is disposed of appropriately
11. correctly handle and manage contaminated items in line with organisational policies
12. comply with organisational policies for replacing used items from stock and tracking and traceability requirements

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments This standard has replaced PCS8 and PCS9.