SAGES Magazine

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | 39 ERCP | A GUIDE FOR NURSES AND ASSISTANTS | Re-printed with permission I N T H E AT R E - S E T T I NG U P Prior to the patient entering the theatre there should be a briefing meeting between all members of endoscopy staff to ensure that all members in the team know what is expected. Each team member will bring relevant information to this briefing. The admitting nurse will ensure that: • the correct patient is identified • what the indication for ERCP is • have a knowledge of what medication the patient is taking • where relevant, has anticoagulant medication been stopped, and when? • whether the consent form has been signed • any relevant comorbidity • any specific wishes of the patient The nurse/ODP managing the airway will acknowledge that this is understood and that correct monitoring is in place The operator will confirm indication for the ERCP and outline what procedures are planned and what equipment is required The assisting nurse/ODP and their assistant will confirm that all necessary equipment is laid out and ready, or at least available nearby The Radiographer confirms the identity and pregnancy status of the patient and is responsible for the safety of all staff in theatre in terms of protection from radiation. They will also ensure that the Xray equipment is functioning and correctly installed. There is the WHO checklist (In RGH this is on the pink form that is part of the admitting paperwork). We’re not very good at going through this formally, maybe because staff (operators and assistants) feel self-conscious or that the process is unnecessary. I’m not a fan of checklists per se, but I hope we can all agree that understanding what is going to be done before we start is useful , and this is a well established method of doing so. 13