In cases of pregnant orthopaedic trauma patients diversion to a major trauma centre directly from the scene of an injury should be considered, to avoid delay of appropriate specialist care.47
Hospitals should have local guidelines for when a patient dies in theatre or recovery. This should include arrangements to maintain dignity for the patient and to give relatives the best support possible. It should also include arrangements to minimise the impact on other patients being treated in the theatre complex.66
All handovers should contain representatives for the multidisciplinary teams from both theatre and the receiving area and should be documented and structured to ensure continuity of care.65
Appropriate clinical policies, checklists and standard operating procedures for operating theatres should be in place.
The following policies should be immediately and reliably available at sites where anaesthesia and sedation are provided:
The patients’ waiting area should provide adequate seating for the number of patients attending a preoperative preparation clinic. This may be an appropriate place to display patient information leaflets.
The following policies should be held and easily accessible for:
If appropriate resources are not available, the level of clinical activity should be limited to ensure safe provision of intraoperative care.53
