Developing a structured competency framework for nursing staff in a regional anaesthesia block room...British Association of Day Surgery (BADS) Annual Conference, June 4-5, 2026, London, United Kingdom.

Introduction The introduction of regional anaesthesia (RA) block rooms has transformed perioperative care by enabling parallel processing, improving theatre efficiency, and expanding access to awake day case surgery for higher-risk patients. Safe, sustainable delivery requires a skilled nursing work...

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Published in:Ambulatory Surgery Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 234 - 235
Main Authors: Smith, Sharon, McIntosh, Carole, Mackay, Nicola, Prior, Lee-Ann, Page, Christiana, Hudman, Lindsay, Macpherson, David
Format: abstract proceedings research Journal Article
Published: International Association for Ambulatory Surgery Jul2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      pub: International Association for Ambulatory Surgery
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        atl: Developing a structured competency framework for nursing staff in a regional anaesthesia block room...British Association of Day Surgery (BADS) Annual Conference, June 4-5, 2026, London, United Kingdom.
      aug:
        au:
          Smith, Sharon
          McIntosh, Carole
          Mackay, Nicola
          Prior, Lee-Ann
          Page, Christiana
          Hudman, Lindsay
          Macpherson, David
        affil: New Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
      sug:
        subj:
          Professional Competence
          Nursing Staff, Hospital
          Anesthesia, Conduction
          Perioperative Care
          Operating Rooms
          Congresses and Conferences United Kingdom
          United Kingdom
      ab: Introduction The introduction of regional anaesthesia (RA) block rooms has transformed perioperative care by enabling parallel processing, improving theatre efficiency, and expanding access to awake day case surgery for higher-risk patients. Safe, sustainable delivery requires a skilled nursing workforce with clearly defined competencies, including recognising complications and providing monitoring under delegated responsibility, as outlined by RA-UK (Neilly & Womack, 2024) and the Royal College of Anaesthetists GPAS Chapter 8 (RCoA, 2025). A standardised, reproducible competency framework was developed alongside launch of a new local block room service. Methods A multidisciplinary team developed a competency framework aligned with national guidance and local standard operating procedures. Training included consultant-led tutorials, mandatory online modules, and supervised clinical practice. Core competencies encompassed patient preparation, monitoring, aseptic technique, ultrasound safety, recognition of complications such as local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), and escalation of concerns. A simulation session on LAST management was incorporated, with pre- and post-teaching questionnaires evaluating nursing confidence and preparedness. Results The framework was successfully implemented across nursing staff transitioning into the block room role. Following the SIM session, nurses reported improved confidence in managing block room emergencies. All 26 post-teaching respondents rated the session as 'Very Good' or 'Excellent', and all would recommend it to colleagues. Conclusions A competency-based framework provides a safe, scalable, and reproducible approach to training nursing staff in a regional anaesthesia block room. Simulation-based learning enhanced nursing confidence and supported self-reflection. This model promotes service sustainability and offers a transferable template for centres developing block room services.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        abstract
        proceedings
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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