Innovation in specialised anaesthetic nursing practice

The 6 sigma business model is utilised creatively in this article. It was chosen by lecturers to steer graduate nurses to think in a business mind set framework. the objective being students would create a business case for innovation in a specialist area of anaesthesia. Lecturers supported students to identify aspects of practice and recommend their business projects. Proposals were both creative and original; two were put forward for development in the student's health care trusts. Firstly a pilot business plan for anaesthetic outreach in an acute rural hospital. Where the anaesthetic nurse specialist (ANS) is required to provide skilled assistance in the provision of out of theatre Intubations were risk and mortality rates are high for patients for example accident and emergency. Improving patient outcomes and optimising survival with the best care possible when they are at their most vulnerable. Secondly, a project proposing purchase of specially designed Oxford HELP pillows to assist in the anaesthetising of obese patients for safe airway. Implementation of Oxford HELP pillows have proven to be financially beneficial and efficient in anaesthesia; it clearly improves patient satisfaction and better clinical outcomes. It can be seen that lecturers and anaesthetic nurse specialists are innovators, leaders and advocates as this clinical role continues to evolve in N. Ireland.