FLINDERS MEDICAL CENTRE

POLICY

POLICY RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF CARE FOR CHILDREN 
UNDERGOING ANAESTHESIA AND INVASIVE PROCEDURES AT 
FLINDERS MEDICAL CENTRE

Endorsed by the Operating Theatre Service Management Committee

Date:		1992				Signed:

Review Date:	2002

Implementation Date:	1992
___________________________________________________

PREAMBLE
Flinders Medical Centre supports the policy of the Australian Association for the Welfare of 
Children in Hospital (SA Branch Inc.).1

It is recognised that the hospitalised child has special needs including parental support and 
adequate preparation for anaesthesia and surgery.

Parents should be encouraged to be involved in the psychological preparation of their child 
undergoing anaesthesia, whilst medical and nursing staff need to provide overall support for the 
whole family during this time.

The emotional wellbeing of the child must be considered to ensure optimal recovery from 
anaesthesia and surgery.

Current literature indicates that effective preparation of the child and permitting parental support 
during anaesthesia induction, reduces stress and the need for heavy premedication. 2,3,4

POLICY STATEMENT:

With the agreement of the anaesthetic team, parents/guardians may accompany their child to the 
Operating Theatre Suite, but may not proceed any further into the Suite than the Holding Bay, 
unless authorised by the attending anaesthetist.

If parents wish, admission to the Recovery Area will be considered when practical, taking into 
account activities occurring in the Recovery Area at the time.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1	Parental Support
	
Parents/guardians will be welcomed to the Paediatric Ward and familiarised to the 
hospital environment. Parents/guardians must be informed that the child will benefit  
from their support.

	AT NO TIME MUST PARENTS BE COERCED OR MADE TO FEEL 	OBLIGED TO 
ACCOMPANY THEIR CHILD TO THEATRE.

2	Preparation of Parents and Child

A Comprehensive preparation for parents and child will be provided by nursing and 
medical staff. Information will be provided to parent /guardians about methods to be used 
to premedicate and anaesthetise their child.
If possible, the Anaesthetic nursing staff should visit the child pre-operatively or 
depending on the child’s age, he/she may be shown the location of the Theatre Suite.

3	Holding Bay
Parents/guardians may accompany their child to the Operating Theatre Suite’s Holding 
bay and remain with their child until the child is transferred to the appropriate Operating 
Room.

4	Induction of Anaesthesia
Parent/guardians may accompany their child to the Anaesthetic Room for the induction of 
their child’s anaesthesia at the request of/or with the agreement of the 
Anaesthetist performing the anaesthetic.
The Anaesthetist authorising that the parents be present at their child’s induction of 
anaesthesia will indicate this on the patient’s Anaesthetic form.
Parents/guardians accompanying their child, will be required to put on theatre scrub 
attire, overshoes and hat, prior to entering the designated sterile area of the operating 
Rooms.
Following the induction of anaesthesia, an Operating Room Nurse will escort the 
parent/guardians from the Operating Theatre Suite and request that they return to the 
ward.

5	Recovery Area
	Children will be returned to the ward as soon as medically indicated.
	Where practical, parents may be permitted in the Recovery area.

References
1	Policy Document.   	The Australian Association for the Welfare of children in 	
				Hospital (SA 	Branch Inc.) April 1989
2	Craft, M.J., Denehy, J.A. Nursing Interventions for Infants and Children.   W.B. 		
				Saunders Co.  Philadelphia, 1990.
3	Glasper, A..	“Accompanying children” Nursing Standard. 7 March Vol. 6. No. 	
			24/1990
4	Hannallah, R.S. “Experience with parents” presence during anaesthesia induction in 	
			children.”   Canadian Anaesthetists’ Society Journal. Vol. 30. No. 3 	
			PP 284 - 289 August 1991
OT/Procedure Manual Disk	23/09/98	2