The following article centres on the justification, planning and implementation of a ‘Sepsis Learning Package’ for nursing students and qualified practitioners. This takes the form of a CDROM and web site, and is concerned with the recently spotlighted area of severe sepsis recognition and the related physiology. This was initially utilised in an orthopaedic post-anaesthetic recovery unit (PACU) that doubles as a high-dependency area. This unit is prone to readmissions from the ward environment with ‘sepsis’ being among the many diagnoses. This therefore highlights the need for all staff, both ward and PACU, to recognise the signs and symptoms before the condition progresses. The unit greatly values the sharing of knowledge, in the form of group teaching sessions and scenarios. However, there was great potential for a separate vessel for learning that made use of the computers in the work environment and in turn provided some interesting advantages.

ABSTRACT

Much has been written about the role of the nurse within the operating department but much less has been uncovered about the role of the anaesthetic nurse within this area. By detailing research undertaken by the author, anaesthetic nurses' perception of their role is recounted and how they interact with other disciplines within the operating department – Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs). These two groups appear to work in relative harmony but there is need for examination and change to the training of both nurses and ODPs, and maybe looking at core training for perioperative staff, which could be accessed at differing levels and can be re-entered at a higher level for further qualifications.