The role of the advanced scrub practitioner

Abstract

The roles of all healthcare professionals have changed considerably over the years and the nurse in particular has been affected. These changes have been influenced by the following guidance, Code of Professional Conduct (UKCC 1992) and Code of Professional Conduct (NMC 2004). Such changes involve the whole area of advancing roles in perioperative nursing, such as the nurse working as advanced scrub practitioner (ASP) (formally known as first assistant). Boss (2002) mentions that these new role developments are concerned with principles such as serving the interests of patients, providing holistic care, developing professional skills and knowledge and being accountable and responsible for your individual actions. Nurses acting as an ASP have many matters to contend with, such as autonomy, duty of care and other legal issues, and professional accountability. This paper explores these issues in more detail.