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Standard precautions - barriers, sterile techniques and safety
Principles of standard precautions
- Infection control
- Safe management of sharps
- Personal protection
- Scrubbing
- Gowning
- Gloving
- Splash protection
Standard precautions video
Using sutures, surgical knots, needles
Suture needles
- Correct mounting on needle holder
- Knot tying, principles and practise
- Selection of appropriate materials
- Knot security
- Able to tie a square knot proficiently: instrument technique; one-handed technique; two-handed technique
Knot tying and suturing video
Instrumentation
Scissors
- Able to name types of scissors and explain indications for appropriate and safe use
- Safe and correct handling and use
- Explain mechanism of action of scissors
- Demonstrate care of scissor blades
- Able to pass and receive scissors safely
Needle holders
- Select needle holder of appropriate weight and length
- Safe and correct handling and use
- Pass and receive needle holders safely
Tissue-holding forceps
- Selection of appropriate forceps (thumb – unlocking; locking; tooth and non-tooth)
- Safe and correct handling and use
Retractors
- Selection of appropriate retractors (hand-held; self-retaining)
- Safe, correct handling; use and risk of tissue damage
Scalpel
- Select appropriate blade
- Safe and correct mounting of blade
- Able to explain principles of holding and using
- Able to pass scalpel safely using a safety dish
- Perform a long cut with square edges at appropriate depth, without slicing or multiple passes
Skin staples
- Recognise indications for use of skin staples
- Correct application
- Safe removal
Instrumentation video