Unit 238: Operation Theatre Technical Services

1. Introduction to Operation Theatre Technical Services

• Role and responsibilities
  • Overview of theatre technical services
  • Maintaining a sterile environment
  • Assisting surgeons and surgical teams
  • Ensuring smooth functioning of medical equipment
• Importance of theatre technical services in patient outcomes

2. Sterilization Techniques in Operation Theatre

• Overview of sterilization and asepsis
• Sterilization methods
  • Autoclaving (steam sterilization)
    • Principles and operation
    • Indicators and validation
  • Chemical sterilization
    • Types of chemicals used
    • Procedures and safety considerations
  • Other methods (e.g., dry heat, gas sterilization)
• Maintaining aseptic conditions
  • Aseptic technique principles
  • Environmental controls
  • Monitoring and documentation

3. Operation Theatre Equipment and Instrumentation

• Types of surgical instruments
  • Cutting, grasping, retracting, suturing instruments
  • Specialized instruments
• Anesthesia machines and monitoring devices
  • Components and functions
  • Calibration and maintenance
• Imaging devices used in theatre
  • Types (e.g., C-arm, endoscopy equipment)
• Handling and maintenance
  • Cleaning and storage
  • Troubleshooting and reporting faults

4. Patient Positioning and Preparation

• Importance of proper positioning
  • Patient safety and comfort
  • Optimal surgical access
• Common surgical positions
  • Supine, prone, lithotomy, lateral, Trendelenburg, etc.
• Techniques and precautions
  • Use of positioning aids
  • Preventing pressure ulcers and nerve injuries
• Preparing patients
  • Skin preparation
  • Draping and exposure

5. Anesthesia Support in Operation Theatre

• Role in anesthesia administration
  • Assisting anesthesiologists
  • Preparing anesthesia equipment and drugs
• Monitoring vital signs
  • Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration
  • Recognizing abnormal signs
• Safety considerations
  • Equipment checks
  • Emergency preparedness

6. Emergency Response and Crisis Management

• Common emergencies in operation theatre
  • Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, equipment failure
• Emergency protocols
  • Immediate response actions
  • Use of emergency equipment (e.g., defibrillators)
• Crisis management strategies
  • Team roles and communication
  • Documentation and debriefing

7. Communication and Teamwork in the Operation Theatre

• Importance of clear communication
• Roles of theatre staff
  • Surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, technical staff
• Communication techniques
  • Briefings and debriefings
  • Closed-loop communication
• Collaboration and conflict resolution

8. Infection Control and Prevention Measures

• Infection risks in operation theatre
• Hand hygiene protocols
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Waste disposal procedures
• Cleaning and disinfection of environment and equipment
• Monitoring and compliance

End of Unit Outline