Background: Technical skills play an integral part in perioperative nurse work in preventing adverse outcome in operating rooms (OR). Pervasive critical shortage of skills and evolution of technologies has pushed for integration of different approaches to training to address the deficit in technical skills. Objective: The aim is to investigate the impact of training in technical skills on operating theatre nurses’ clinical competence and describe important factors of clinical competence for operating theatre nurses (OTNs). Method: We used systematic review of the evidences on the best practice in design and delivery of training for operating theatre nurses. The review systematically searched for six relevant articles in PubMed, CINAHL and Embase using keywords and mesh terms for studies on training of perioperative nurses in December 2024. We extracted information on training and the impact of training on participant’s technical skills. Results: The systematic review screened 518 sources from the three identified databases where six peer-reviewed sources met the inclusion criteria developed by the authors and were included for analysis. The authors used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess the level of empirical evidence based on five domains of bias. Finding: Our findings demonstrate that simulation and technology-based approaches significantly improve nurses’ technical skills and confidence. Conclusion: The review underscores the importance of structured and technology-driven training programs in enhancing operating room (OR) nurses’ technical skills. The lack of standardized training approaches and limited research on long-term outcome indicates a need for further studies to optimize training designs and delivery methods for operating room nurses.
References
[1]
von Vogelsang, A., Swenne, C.L., Gustafsson, B.Å. and Falk Brynhildsen, K. (2019) Operating Theatre Nurse Specialist Competence to Ensure Patient Safety in the Operating Theatre: A Discursive Paper. Nursing Open, 7, 495-502. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.424
[2]
Kinlaw, T.S., Stobinski, J., Irvin, S.A., Rosenfield, L. and Dunn, D. (2022) Professional Development in Perioperative Nursing Begins with the Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN) Credential. Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management, 26, Article ID: 100239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcorm.2021.100239
[3]
Blomberg, A., Lindwall, L. and Bisholt, B. (2019) Operating Theatre Nurses’ Self-Reported Clinical Competence in Perioperative Nursing: A Mixed Method Study. Nursing Open, 6, 1510-1518. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.352
[4]
Andereggen, L., Andereggen, S., Bello, C., Urman, R.D. and Luedi, M.M. (2022) Technical Skills in the Operating Room: Implications for Perioperative Leadership and Patient Outcomes. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology, 36, 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpa.2022.05.002
[5]
Vera San Juan, N., Clark, S.E., Camilleri, M., Jeans, J.P., Monkhouse, A., Chisnall, G., et al. (2022) Training and Redeployment of Healthcare Workers to Intensive Care Units (ICUS) during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. BMJ Open, 12, e050038. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050038
[6]
Mitchell, L. and Flin, R. (2008) Non-Technical Skills of the Operating Theatre Scrub Nurse: Literature Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 63, 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04695.x
[7]
Bajwa, S.J.S. and Mehdiratta, L. (2021) Adopting Newer Strategies of Perioperative Quality Improvement: The Bandwagon Moves on….. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 65, 639-643. https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.ija_866_21
[8]
de Laurentis, C., Pirillo, D., Di Cristofori, A., Versace, A., Calloni, T., Trezza, A., et al. (2024) Boosting Teamwork between Scrub Nurses and Neurosurgeons: Exploring the Value of a Role-Played Hands-On, Cadaver-Free Simulation and Systematic Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Surgery, 11, Article 1386887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2024.1386887
[9]
Page, M.J., et al. (2020) The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.31222/osf.io/v7gm2
[10]
Silab, A.N., Fattahi, S., Rizevandi, P. and Mottahedi, M. (2024) Investigating the Effect of Video-Based Training on Adherence of Surgical Positioning Standards: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BMC Research Notes, 17, Article No. 301. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-024-06970-x
[11]
Sørensen, J.L., van der Vleuten, C., Rosthøj, S., Østergaard, D., LeBlanc, V., Johansen, M., et al. (2015) Simulation-based Multiprofessional Obstetric Anaesthesia Training Conducted in Situ versus Off-Site Leads to Similar Individual and Team Outcomes: A Randomised Educational Trial. BMJ Open, 5, e008344. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008344
[12]
Chen, X., Liao, P., Liu, S., Zhu, J., Abdullah, A.S. and Xiao, Y. (2024) Effect of Virtual Reality Training to Enhance Laparoscopic Assistance Skills. BMC Medical Education, 24, Article No. 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-05014-5
[13]
Miller, C., Spong, A. and Ferguson, C. (2020) Implementation of a Cross-Discipline In-Situ Simulation Programme Improved Team Preparedness for Airway Emergencies. Trends in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, 30, e183-e184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tacc.2019.12.450
[14]
Tao, H. and Wu, F. (2024) Implementation of Innovative Teaching Approaches for Standardized Training of New Nurses in the Operating Room. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, AT9391.
[15]
Tamminen-Peter, L. and Nygren, K. (2019) Development of an Education Scheme for Improving Perioperative Nurses’ Competence in Ergonomics. Work, 64, 661-667. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-193002
[16]
Causby, B., Jakimowicz, S. and Levett-Jones, T. (2024) Upskill Training and Preparedness of Non-Critical-Care Registered Nurses Deployed to Intensive Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. Australian Critical Care, 37, 790-804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2024.02.003
