Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner

Gisborne Hospital 1999 – 2000
Operating Theatre Protocols
NZNO submission
14.12 NZNO submitted that:
“A nurse is able to give analgesia from a verbal order, and had she
received such an order from Dr Lucas she would have acted upon it. Dr
Lucas claims he gave a verbal order to the nurse but as he refused to
either go to recovery or leave the operating theatre it is difficult to see
how he did that.”
Appropriate standards
14.13 The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists’ policy is set out
in Review PS10 (1999):
“The Handover of Responsibility During an Anaesthetic
1. Introduction
During an anaesthetic, the major responsibility of the anaesthetist is to
provide care for the patient. This requires the continuous presence of an
anaesthetist. In certain circumstances, it is necessary for the anaesthetist
to hand over that responsibility to a colleague. Such handovers will not
compromise patient safety provided that appropriate procedures are
followed. In prolonged anaesthetics, handover may be advantageous to
the patient by preventing undue fatigue of the anaesthetist.
2. Protocol for transfer of responsibility
The following matters must be considered by both the primary and the
relieving anaesthetists:
2.1 The primary anaesthetist must be satisfied as to the competence of
the relieving anaesthetist to assume management of the case.
2.2 The relieving anaesthetist must be willing to accept responsibility
for the case.
2.3 Review of the patient’s health status having regard to past history
and the present condition.
2.4 A description of the anaesthetic including drugs, intravascular
lines, airway security, fluid management, untoward events and any
foreseeable problems.
2.5 Observations of the patient according to College Policy Document.
2.6 A check to ensure correct functioning of the anaesthetic machine,
monitoring devices in use and any other equipment which is
interfaced with the patient.
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