EDUCATION FOR ADVANCED SCRUB PRACTITIONERS

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EDUCATION FOR ADVANCED SCRUB PRACTITIONERS

• Jane Farrell
• University of Manchester

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Purpose

• Initial design
• Course structure and content
• Access to the course
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Changes to course

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The Development

• ENB N77
• 2 distinct roles
• NATN definitions

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Collaboration

• Innovation
• Confusion
• 1995 -1998
• Course commenced October 1998
• Student numbers increasing
• PCC

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The ASP Debate

• Part of scrub practitioners normal duties
• Part of basic theatre course
• Newly qualified staff
• Legal issues consensus of opinion
• Level of knowledge and skills

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Knowledge and Skills

• The how and the why
• Role limitations
• Underpinning knowledge
• Areas common to both ASP and SCP

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Common Areas

• Preparing and draping the patient
• Retraction
• Suction
• Haemostasis
• AP skin and wound healing
• Microbiology

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The ASP Module at Manchester

• Part of Principles and Practice of Surgery Module
  1
• Timetable structure
• 4 study days
• 8 weeks in length
• Clinical practice in own area

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Criteria

• ASP module 10 credits at level 3
• Towards a BSc (Hons)
• 5050 theory and practice
• 1500 word essay
• Clinical document including 100 hours in clinical
  practice

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Accessing the Module

• Diploma in Nursing or equivalent
• 2 years post registration
• Research methods module
• Fees 362
• Easy payment options
• Managerial support
• Surgeon support

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Advantages

• ASP credited with first part of module
• Can re-enter at a later stage
• NHS Skills Escalator
• Rewarded with academic credits

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Disadvantages

• Confusion regarding roles
• Changes in title
• Pressure for individuals
• Dual role

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The Course So Far

• 4th cohort started
• Course very fast
• Difficult to establish relationships
• Valuable learning
• Student wishes to continue to SCP

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Further Developments

• Increase credits to 20
• Increase length to 15 weeks
• Increase clinical practice to 200 hours
• PP Surgery 1 also increases
• Credits to 40
• Length to 20 weeks
• Clinical practice to 400 hours

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FAQs

• Ive always performed the role of 1st assistant
  do I really need a piece of paper?
• Do I have to undertake a university accredited
  course?
• Ive been told my previous qualifications are not
  worth the paper they are written on
• I havent done any academic courses where do I go
  for help?
• Everyone in my Trust performs the dual role, is
  that wrong?

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The Future

• EWTD
• E- learning development