To scrub or not to scrub? That is the question

Area of Science:

• Healthcare workforce development
• Surgical support roles
• Patient safety in operating rooms

Background:

• Assistant Theatre Practitioners (ATPs) are increasingly integrated into healthcare settings to support registered practitioners.
• The expansion of ATP roles into areas traditionally held by registered practitioners necessitates careful consideration of safety and quality.
• Skills for Health (2010) guidelines support the development of these roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation experience of an Assistant Theatre Practitioner role within an acute hospital trust's theatre setting.
• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of allowing Assistant Theatre Practitioners to perform scrubbing duties.
• To answer the question: Should Assistant Theatre Practitioners be allowed to scrub?

Main Methods:

• Case study of role implementation in one acute hospital trust.
• Analysis of the integration process for Assistant Theatre Practitioners in the theatre environment.
• Discussion of the implications for patient care and safety.

Main Results:

• The implementation of ATPs in a theatre setting was explored.
• The study addresses the critical question of ATPs undertaking scrubbing roles.
• Focus on maintaining safety and quality of care during role expansion.

Conclusions:

• The integration of Assistant Theatre Practitioners requires careful management to ensure patient safety.
• Further evaluation is needed to determine the scope of practice, specifically regarding scrubbing.
• The findings contribute to the ongoing discussion on optimizing surgical team roles and effectiveness.