Speakers - WNSC 2024

Abstract

This project is made to achieve and implement a structured care plan. It was created with the participation of two hospitals in Rome- Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and S. Peter Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome. EXIT is a unique technique that establishes cardiopulmonary support during a c-section while maintaining placental bypass. This procedure is made for fetuses with serious pathologies (diaphragmatic hernia, cervical or thoracic lesions, cardiac diseases, and tumors) who require a series of techniques and operations (tracheal intubation, operative endoscopy airway or tracheostomy) to support the respiratory system. This process needs a multidisciplinary team and a scheduled surgery. In case of premature rupture of membranes or early labor, fetal malposition, or modification of vital signs, the EXIT method is applicable for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Fetal cervical and oropharyngeal masses are treated with the EXIT technique and sometimes with ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) to support the cardiovascular and respiratory system through tracheal intubation or tracheostomy. From June 2022 to March 2024- Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, in partnership with S. Peter Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome, implemented the EXIT project and inserted 15 patients to treat. It’s essential to do a briefing before and after the procedure to organize and plan roles and responsibilities of effective teamwork. The role of ENT theatre nurses within the EXIT procedure is fundamental to providing and offering the highest quality of care. Theatre ENT nurses must have the skills and ability to participate and be influential multidisciplinary team members. For this reason, Paediatric ENT Nurses should have the knowledge and clinical skills about pediatric patients, assist and collaborate with the surgeons to facilitate surgical ENT procedures, be familiar with the correct equipment in the operating room, have specific requirements and experiences of anesthesia and emergencies in pediatric patients, and communicate effectively with all the team members. Theatre ENT pediatric nurses perform various tasks and, for this reason, need satisfactory education and appropriate training.

This work aims to describe and develop a procedure to define the role of the nurse who specializes in ENT surgery, especially in the EXIT procedure, and standardize all competencies and responsibilities.