Development of the cardiac surgeon assistant

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Workforce Development

Background:

• Initiation of a pilot scheme in 1989 to assess the role of non-medically qualified assistants in cardiac surgery.
• The scheme involved a registered nurse and has been under evaluation for three years.
• The pilot program is nearing completion of its evaluation phase.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and implications of employing a registered nurse as a non-medically qualified assistant in cardiac surgery.
• To examine the potential impact of this new role on the nursing profession.
• To provide data supporting the broader adoption of such schemes in other hospitals.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a pilot scheme in a cardiac surgery setting.
• Inclusion of a registered nurse in a non-traditional assistant role.
• Ongoing evaluation of the scheme over a three-year period.

Main Results:

• The pilot scheme has progressed through its evaluation stages.
• Approval has been granted for other healthcare institutions to implement similar initiatives.
• The study provides a basis for understanding the integration of nurses in surgical support roles.

Conclusions:

• The evaluation of the nurse assistant in cardiac surgery is nearing completion.
• The potential adoption of this model by other hospitals signifies a shift in surgical team composition.
• This development has significant implications for the future scope of practice and career pathways within the nursing profession.