Paediatric perioperative nursing: special skills for special people.(focus: Perioperative nursing/education)

The benefits of parental/carer involvement in a child's hospitalisation has been documented and emphasised in paediatric nursing for many years. At The Children's Hospital at Westmead, we use this evidence and apply it to our practice throughout the perioperative experience.

Involvement of the child and family begins preoperatively. The anaesthetic nurse visits the patient and parent/carer in the designated preoperative area where the focus is on relevant documentation and information regarding fasting times and allergies.

Understanding previous anaesthetic/surgical experiences, anaesthetic preferences and ensuring parental involvement during anaesthesia and …