Abstract
Problem: The Non-Medical Surgical Assistant role has been practised in Australia for over 30 years. Despite this, the role remains unregulated, and government policy does not offer a rebate for the private surgical patient when the surgical assistant is not a Medical Practitioner.
Aim: To investigate the legitimacy; as outlined by Donabedian; of the Nurse Practitioner performing the role of the surgical assistant in Australia.
Methods: Examination of peak professional bodies’ guidelines, opinions of other service providers, Australian Government policy and the Australian law.
Findings: While not reflected in Government policy, the Nurse Practitioner is a legitimate and lawful provider of intraoperative surgical assisting care in Australia.
Discussion: The Medical Benefits Schedule does not reflect contemporary, evidence-based practise or the law concerning the Nurse Practitioner undertaking the role of a surgical assistant, this causes the patient an out of pocket expense or reduced access to care.
Conclusion: The Australian Nurse Practitioner is a legitimate and lawful provider of these services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 654-660 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Collegian |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 7 Sept 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2020 |