ORTHOPAEDIC NURSING SKILLS

NURSES MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND

Applied nursing for orthopaedics

• Patient positioning for standard radiographic views
• Assembly of complex orthopaedic equipment
• Instrument reprocessing & maintenance
• Theatre management & infection control
• Patient handling & preparation
• Incision preparation & management of asepsis
• Foot wraps & hanging limb preps
• Patient positioning for surgery
• The scrubbed surgical assistant role
• Tissue handling, haemostasis, retraction, handling & cutting suture

FREE introductory module – Top 5 Skills for the Orthopaedic Veterinary Nurse

This sneak peek shows you how to handle hands-free radiographic positioning, orthopaedic equipment assembly, and a range of perioperative techniques to get your patient into surgery with a minimum of time and much less fuss. Rhonda will also cover some of the more technical components of surgical nursing, like skin prep for proper asepsis, orthopaedic draping, and instrument handling movements while you’re assisting the surgeon in theatre.

Module 1 – Imaging for Different Orthopaedic Surgeries

The kneebone is connected to the thigh bone, but if you’ve spent any time around presurgical radiographs, you’ll know that quality diagnostic images are very specific indeed. This module covers vital skills that help the team collect the best possible images for surgical planning.

1. Positioning for fore and hindlimb images
2. What orthogonal really means
3. Troubleshooting radiographic images through positioning
4. Hands-free radiography & radiographic safety

Module 2 – Instrumentation & Orthopaedic Equipment

There’s nothing like the snip of properly sharp suture scissors, and there’s nobody as valuable as the only nurse who can set up the arthroscope! This module is rich with images and videos from clinical practice, to help you identify, assemble, maintain and handle the tools of the veterinary orthopaedic trade.

1. Identification of specialised orthopaedic instruments
2. Understanding how the instruments are (supposed to be) used
3. Instrument handling during surgery
4. Assembly of complex equipment
5. Reprocessing principles

Module 3 – Theatre Management & Infection Control

This is an absolutely critical area of surgical nursing, and one which sounds dry on paper but which is interesting in practice. The team shares a lot of responsibility for making sure the theatre environment is clean and fit for purpose. Even for experienced nurses, there will be aspects you can improve by attending this session.

1. Preparing the room
2. Managing theatre during procedures
3. Maintaining the theatre environment (daily, weekly & for maintenance)
4. PPE & wearables
5. Infection control principles

Module 4 – Patient Handling & Preparation

There’s a huge variation in what you’ll need to handle as an orthopaedic nurse. Fractures come in all shapes, sizes, and locations. Patients can be mild mannered, painful or fearful. An open fracture presents a very different challenge to an elective TPLO, but they’re both orthopaedic surgeries. This module describes how you can cope with these situations and get your patient into surgery.

1. Patient scrubbing & asepsis
2. Foot wrap & hanging limb prep
3. Patient positioning for surgery

Module 5 – The Scrubbed Surgical Assistant Role

This is where a lot of nurses and techs aim to be – right on the cutting edge and working in theatre alongside the surgeons. Here, Rhonda will cover the skills you need to move safely and competently around the surgical theatre. It’s all about controlled, deliberate movements, and here’s your guide.

1. 1. Gloving & gowning
   2. Passing instruments
   3. Moving around theatre
   4. Maintaining sterility
   5. Haemostasis, retraction, handling & cutting suture

Still have questions? We’ve got answers. Call 0409 743 100 or  0411 798 165