Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Introduce yourself to the patient, explain and discuss the procedure with them, and gain their consent to proceed. Confirm with the ward nurse that you have identified the correct patient for the scheduled operation.
   To ensure that the patient feels at ease, understands the procedure and gives their valid consent (NMC [152], C).

Procedure

1. 2.Show
   Identify the patient by checking the identification band (name and patient number) against the patient's notes and the operating list.
   To safeguard against patient misidentification (AfPP [9], C).
2. 3.Show
   Check and confirm the correct completion of the pre‐operative checklist.
   To ensure that all the listed measures have been completed and that any additional information has been recorded. E
3. 4.Show
   Check that the results of the investigative procedures (e.g. blood results and X‐rays) are included with the patient's notes.
   To ensure that all the required results are available for the theatre team's use. E
4. 5.Show
   Maintain a calm, quiet environment and explain all the procedures to the patient, including the monitoring of blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation.
   To reduce anxiety and enhance the smooth induction of anaesthesia (Turunen et al. [205], E).
5. 6.Show
   When the patient has been anaesthetized, ensure that the eyes are closed and secured with hypoallergenic tape or padding.
   To prevent corneal damage due to eyes drying out or accidental abrasion. For longer surgical procedures a sterile lubricant may also be applied to the surface of the eye (Lillienthal et al. [105], E; Malafa et al. [115], R).

Post‐procedure

1. 7.Show
   When the patient has been anaesthetized, they are transferred into the operating theatre.
   To commence the surgical procedure. C