What is the role of the anaesthetist? Anaesthetists play a very important role in surgery.

In addition to the administration and monitoring of anaesthetics and sedation, they have a responsibility to keep the patient comfortable and in a stable condition. The anaesthetist has a role in the pre, peri and postoperative stages. Including: Preoperative- Gaining consent from the patient and choosing the most suitable anaesthetic/s Perioperative- Monitoring the patient (most important, the patients airway) Postoperative- Continue monitoring the patient, documentation of anaesthetics given and the patients state throughout the pre, peri and postoperative stages. (State Government of Victoria, 2011) Outside of theatre, anaesthetists can assist with pain relief and management in a wide variety of areas.

State Government of Victoria (2011, February 12). Anaethetist. Pick Vic! Retrieved March 6, 2014, http://pickvic.ssa.vic.gov.au/jobs/healthcare-medical-and-community/medical-and-nursing/anaesthetist

Sterile Field
A sterile field is created to provide a surgically aseptic workspace. It should be considered a restricted area. Asterile drape may be used to establish a sterile field or to extend the sterile working area. The sterile drape should be waterproof on one side, with that side placed down on the work surface. After establishing the sterile field, other sterile items needed, including solutions, are added. Sterile items and sterile gloved hands are the only objects allowed in the sterile field (Lynn, 2011). Preparing a Sterile Field 1. 2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated. Check that the packaged kit or tray is dry and unopened. Also note expiration date, making sure that the date is still valid. Select a work area that is waist level or higher. Open the outside cover of the package and remove the kit or tray. Place in the center of the work surface, with the topmost flap positioned on the far side of the package. Reach around the package and grasp the outer surface of the end of the topmost flap, holding no more than 1 inch from the border of the flap. Pull open away from the body, keeping the arm outstretched and away from the inside of the wrapper. Allow the wrapper to lie flat on the work surface. Reach around the package and grasp the outer surface of the first side flap, holding no more than 1 inch from the border of the flap. Pull open to the side of the package, keeping the arm outstretched and away from the inside of the wrapper. Allow the wrapper to lie flat on the work surface. Reach around the package and grasp the outer surface of the remaining side flap, holding no more than 1 inch from the border of the flap. Pull open to the side of the package, keeping the arm outstretched and away from the inside of the wrapper. Allow the wrapper to lie flat on the work surface. Stand away from the package and work surface. Grasp the outer surface of the remaining flap closest to the body, holding not more than 1 inch from the border of the flap. Pull the flap back toward the body, keeping arm outstretched and away from the inside of the wrapper. Keep this hand in place. Use other hand to grasp the wrapper

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on the underside (the side that is down to the work surface). Position the wrapper so that when flat, edges are on the work surface, and do not hang down over sides of work surface. Allow the wrapper to lie flat on the work surface. 9. The outer wrapper of the package has become a sterile field with the packaged supplies in the center. Do not touch or reach over the sterile field. Place additional sterile items on field as needed. Continue with the procedure as indicated.