Preface

Perioperative nursing is one of the oldest nursing specialties. It has featured in the nursing curriculum within Australia and New Zealand for more than 100 years, and longer elsewhere. It has evolved into a highly specialised, indeed, unique area of nursing, both within Australasia and globally. Although many aspects of perioperative nursing are universal and readily understood by all who work in this environment, the application of fundamental (as well as advanced) principles is highly contextual. Even in our respective states, territories and regions it varies; in fact, such is the nature of the practice that perioperative nursing can be understood and practised differently in two operating suites within the same locale. Notwithstanding these idiosyncrasies, the need for an Australasian perioperative text that addresses the sociopolitical and legal milieux, as well as the clinical practice issues within this region, was clear. It is to these ends that this text has been developed.

Perioperative nursing: An introductory text addresses the core aspects of contemporary perioperative nursing care in Australia and New Zealand, and reflects the expertise of the 23 contributors—all practising perioperative clinicians, managers, educators or academics from both countries. It has been developed for use by practising perioperative registered nurses and enrolled nurses, especially those new to the perioperative environment. Senior undergraduate nursing students with an interest in all phases of surgical patient care, or those who have an opportunity to experience a clinical practicum in the perioperative setting, will also find this book a valuable resource.

The text focuses on the principles of perioperative nursing wherever it is delivered—traditional operating suite, day surgery or endoscopy centre—but it is equally applicable to newer, evolving practice arenas, such as radiology and imaging suites. Although it does not address the particulars of any given surgical specialty, it does outline the fundamental principles associated with caring for patients in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of their surgery or procedure. The perioperative care and practices described here are derived from the professional practice of the contributors and are underpinned by contemporary professional standards, local and national health policies and pertinent legal principles. Wherever possible, the text incorporates recent research findings. Notwithstanding this, in a world of continually developing knowledge and technology, the book represents a ‘moment in time’ of our understanding and practice of perioperative nursing. Consequently, the reader is directed to utilise the resources and websites listed at the end of each chapter, and to identify and use other contemporary sources, so as to remain abreast of changing and evolving practices.

Perioperative nursing in Australia and New Zealand is a vibrant specialty. It is represented by a national professional association in each country and each entity has a long and proud history. The Australian College (formerly confederation) of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN) and the Perioperative Nurses College of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (PNCNZNO), both members of the International Federation of Perioperative Nursing (IFPN), play a major role in developing perioperative nursing practice via their many activities. These include developing standards and competencies that underpin patient care and perioperative nursing practice, and supporting the education of perioperative practitioners via their respective journals and conferences. These organisations, along with the IFPN, are important beacons in the many challenging environments where surgery is conducted. The delivery of perioperative care in the third millennium is no easy task and we trust this text assists perioperative nurses to care for patients during the most vulnerable time of their surgical experience.

Lois Hamlin, Marilyn Richardson-Tench, Menna Davies

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