AH1S10 - Foundations of Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Practice 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AH1S10
Module Title: Foundations of Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Operating Dept Practice
Module Leader: Deborah Ryan
Module Team: Ashley Davies, Filipa Machado, Bethan Kent
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100273 - operating department practice
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce the basics of anaesthetic and post anaesthetic practice. Enabling students to facilitate the establishment of basic general anaesthetic, local and neuraxial blockades alongside an anaesthetist as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Students will also be introduced to patient assessment, being able to interpret clinical signs and symptoms during their perioperative journey.
During this module students will be exposed to the anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care of patients undergoing minor to intermediate surgeries and begin to evaluate practice in these areas.

Content Summary

This module will introduce and develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills within anaesthetic and post anaesthetic care. Students will be able to appraise the care given to a patient undergoing anaesthetic and use the evidence base to evaluate care.

Theoretical Topics to Include:
Pharmacological concepts including the classification, justification for use of common anaesthetic medications
Infection prevention and control within anaesthesia and post anaesthesia.
The establishment, maintenance of, and emergence from general and local anaesthesia.
The effective and safe use of anaesthetic equipment accounting for the design, legislation and manufacturer’s guidance.
The management of clinical waste including sharps and fluids within anaesthetic practice
Introduction to human factors within healthcare practice including situational awareness and teamwork.
Principles of physiological monitoring and assessment in perioperative practice
Application of respiratory anatomy to anaesthesia including airway grading, classification, and principles of establishing the anaesthetic airway.
Application of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology to anaesthetic practice including the management of fluids and medicines commonly used in the establishment, maintenance of and emergence from anaesthesia.

Development of Clinical Anaesthetic and Post Anaesthetic skills to include:
Preparation and maintenance of the safe anaesthetic environment including anaesthetic equipment
Working with the anaesthetist to safely establish, maintain and reverse general and local anaesthetics for a variety of perioperative patients
Assistance in the establishment of vascular access and the maintenance of fluids during the perioperative period.
Placement, calibration and interpretation of non-invasive physiological monitoring in practice including neuromuscular blockade.
Basic A-E assessment of the perioperative patient
Positioning of patients for anaesthetic procedures
Performance of basic airway maintenance and support in the establishment of the anaesthetic airway.
Communication within the multidisciplinary team
Communicating with patients undergoing and recovering from anaesthesia.

Legal and professional topics within anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic practice to include:
Identifying risk in the anaesthetic environment to patients, staff and others including the rationale behind the World Health Organisation Surgical Safety Checklists.
Implementation of local and national guidelines within practice.
Completion of documentation in the pre-anaesthetic, anaesthetic and post anaesthetic phase of perioperative practice
Promoting the rights and wellbeing of the patient undergoing anaesthesia
The reception and delivery of effective patient handover using the SBAR protocol.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 80
Active/Simulation Based 24
Problem / challenge based learning 16
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding relating to the assessment, planning and delivery of safe and effective anaesthetic care during the patient’s perioperative journey for minor to intermediate elective procedures
LO2 Apply effective communication skills in the care of the surgical patient undergoing or recovering from anaesthesia.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A Case-study evaluating the anaesthetic care of a perioperative patient through their journey 0 2500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1

Reading List

Al-Shaikh, B and Stacey, S, G. (2017) Essentials of Equipment in Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Peri-Operative Medicine. 5th edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier.

Marieb, E. and Hoehn, K, N. (2018) Human Anatomy and Physiology. 11th edition. Harlow: Pearson

Middleton, B., Phillips, J., Thomas, R. and Stacey, S. (2021) Physics in anaesthesia: for FRCA candidates, ODPs and nurse anaesthetists. 2nd edition. Banbury: Scion.

Moss, B. (2020) Communication Skills in Nursing, Health and Social Care. 5th edition. London: Sage

Peck, T. E. and Hill, S. A. (2021) Pharmacology for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 5th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Porth C. (2015) Essentials of Pathophysiology: Concepts of altered states. 4th edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Rodger, D. et al. (2022) Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice. 2nd edition: Cambridge: Cambridge.

Scarth, E. and Smith, S. (2016) Drugs in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Thompson, J. et al. (2021) Smith and Aitkenhead’s Textbook of Anaesthesia. 7th edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier.

Totora G. J. (2017). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 15th edition. Hoboken: Wiley.

Yentis, S, M. et al. (2019) Anaesthesia, intensive care and perioperative medicine A-Z: an encyclopaedia of principles and practice. 6th edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier