Perioperative Practice

What was it like?

The book is a pocket-sized guide intended to act as an aide memoire to all staff working within the theatre environment. It covers the full range of duties within the operating department from anaesthesia through the surgical procedure and into recovery. While no part of the process is covered in depth, there is adequate coverage of the steps that a patient takes as they move through the surgical process. As a newly qualified nurse, I found the section on recovery, my current area of work, to be particularly useful. Although the book is not a substitute for a specialist text book, the portability allows for it to be carried at all times soif you need to quickly check a fact you have the book handy. This title does not provide a substitute for the underpinning knowledge required of the practitioner but serves as a useful prop to aid them in daily practice. The fact that the writing style employed is succinct and to the point allows for vital facts to be found quickly and assimilated efficiently. This is further aided by the clarity of the writing and appropriate use of figures or diagrams. Authorship of the book by the professional body of theatre practitioners adds a level of authenticity to its content allowing the reader to place their confidence fully in what they read.

What were the highlights? 

The highlight of the book for me was the way it found itself in use on a regular basis. The portability of the book and the evident authority of its content meant that it became an important part of my armoury.

Strengths & weaknesses:

Only one major weakness could be identified and this may be personal to me. The form factor of the book made it awkward to carry around in the pocket of scrubs surely the place that such a guide should reside in.

Who should read it?

The book will prove ideal for the student operating department practioner or nurse as they orient themselves to a theatre environment allowing them to quickly fact check or reaffirm knowledge of a procedure they are about to participate in. It will also prove useful to newly qualified practitioners as they ease their way from the world of academia to the world of work. It can be seen that as a practitioner’s experience grows it may become less useful.