Abstract

Georgia Fasoi, Maria Bourazani* and Martha Kelesi

ABSTRACT

Over the past decade there has been a rapid increase in scientific interest regarding patient safety, particularly in incidents that could have been avoided (adverse events). Studies have shown that in addition to the high level of education and specialization, the non-technical skills of an intraprofessional team play an important role in patient safety. By non-technical skills we mean cognitive and interpersonal traits favoring effective teamwork, such as communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making and role-sharing skills. The purpose of this review is to investigate the non-technical skills of a nurse-anesthetist and the factors contributing to their development. Anesthesiology departments are high-risk departments and are required to be staffed by nurse-anesthetists with specialized knowledge and non-technical skills in order to ensure the patient’s safety and a better surgical outcome. Teaching non-technical skills to nurse-anesthetists is performed through various methods, such as simulation, role play, video projections and case studies. Of course, apart from the basic education, continuous training and assessment with predefined criteria are required, using special tools such as the ANTS-AP.