Handling and care of the patient (part one). No. 11.

A patient is wheeled along a hospital corridor accompanied by a male clinician and a nurse; these people are responsible for his well-being The first section is entitled Incorrect procedure ; firstly a female patient is left alone in a room and appears very anxious, the camera follows her line of vision around the room as it moves erratically over all the unfamiliar equipment. Hospital staff come and go; the narrator refers to the room becoming a corridor and storeroom. Neither the nurse nor the anaesthetist communicate with the patient whilst all the equipment is checked. A surgeon briefs his students showing an unidentifiable part of human anatomy in a dish; the anaesthetist does not wash his hands and puts the mask directly onto the patient s face with no forewarning. The wretched patient panics as the blankets are removed from her legs, thinking that surgery will commence and the nurse, the anaesthetist and porter all have to physically restrain her. The catalogue of errors continues when her arm dangles free, then her head is allowed to flop backwards. The next section refers to Correct Procedure ; the same scenario is repeated with a male patient but demonstrating good practice. The anaesthetist checks the patient s records. The nurse holds and strokes the patient s hand. The patient is prepared for surgery. Intertitle; On the table 1. Position. The arms and hands are tucked under the body; otherwise cuffs can be used a method with towels is also shown. Alternative positions with the arms on the chest are also shown. 2. Warmth. Spare blankets are shown being placed onto a radiator and put in a warming cupboard. The body is covered by light blankets/ towels. A bald patient is shown having his head lightly covered to prevent heat loss. 3. Care of the eyes. Eyes usually close automatically but if they do not, to prevent anaesthetic eye (where the ether soaked gauze abrades the eye), the eyes are closed manually. 4. Respiratory embarrassment. Surgery is underway on a man; the anaesthetist notices that the patient s breath is repressed. The surgical instruments are resting on the patient s chest and one of the attendants leans on the patient. The anaesthetist draws everyone s attention to this. 5. Change of position and handling. The patient must be handled gently in case there is a change in blood pressure. A female patient is shown being tossed to and fro.