[Operating room assistance: an innovative practice]

Professional practice changes in the operating room have led to the development of a new role for nurses--as surgical assistants. Essentially, the surgical assistant nurse helps ensure the patient's safety while providing technical and clinical assistance to the surgeon in such areas as exposing and manipulating tissues, suturing fascia and using various specialized instruments. The surgical assistant nurse function is being implemented through a pilot project at the Institut de cardiologie de Montréal. Developed by representatives of the nursing and surgical departments there, the project was approved by the Collège des médecins du Québec in April 1995 and subsequently by the institute's council of physicians, dentists and pharmacists. It has also gained recognition from the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ). The pilot project incorporated a 186-hour training program, which was delivered from May to September 1995 according to three distinct learning modules: maintenance of a safe environment for the patient, clinical assistance and technical assistance. A tutorial approach to learning included individual and team work, simulation exercises, technical courses, lab work and practical training in the operating room. At the end of the training program, two surgical assistant nurses began practising in their new role. An evaluation of the project will be performed in September 1996.