Positioning the patient for surgery.

The aim of this paper is to identify some of the potential hazards involved with the positioning of the patient on the operating table prior to surgery. The development of good practice within this area is essential to both the patient and staff so helping to avoid unnecessary post operative complications for the patient and avoiding unnecessary potential problems for the staff. The UKCC guidelines are quite clear regarding the nurse's role in patient care: The nurse must always promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of the patient and ensure that no action or omission in her area of responsibility is detrimental to the patient. The nurse must have regard to the environment and its physical, psychological and social effects on the patient and to the adequacy of resources and inform appropriate authorities of any circumstances which could place the patient at risk or which militate against safe standards of practice. The nurse must endeavour to achieve, maintain and develop knowledge, skills and competence to meet the needs of the patient at all times.