Genetics in the OR—Implications for Perioperative Nursing Practice

Abstract

New developments in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology are increasing understanding of the role of genetics in health and disease. This kind of health information requires that perioperative nurses develop new skills and roles that will enhance the quality of genetic health care they provide to patients, particularly with regard to managing genetic information. Perioperative nurses expand their scope of practice to incorporate a genetic focus into health assessment, patient education, and patient support as they assimilate new genetic information into their daily lives. Perioperative nurses familiar with genetic counseling services--and how and when to refer patients for such services--will ensure that all patients have access to the most current and appropriate genetic information with which to make informed health choices.

Genetics education in the nursing profession: literature review

“…The International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) has identified the role of nurses in assessing risk factors, providing information or services and evaluating patients for referral (ISONG 1998), facilitating informed decision‐making (ISONG 2000), supporting access to genetic counselling for vulnerable populations (ISONG 2002), and supporting access to genomic health care (ISONG 2003). Genetic advances will have specific implications for a number of nursing professional groups, including oncology nurses (MacDonald 1997), gastroenterology nurses (Rieger & Tinley 2000), advanced practice nurses (Zawacki & Phillips 2002), perioperative nurses (Lea & Tinley 1998), paediatric nurses (Lessick & Anderson 2000) and midwives and other nursing professionals involved in prenatal and neonatal screening (Grant 2000, Lloyd‐Puryear & Forsman 2002, Burton & Shuttleworth 2003).…”

Nurses as information providers: facilitating understanding and communication of statistical information

“…Nurses will help patients make decisions about participating in clinical studies and signing informed consent forms (Williams, 1998); Pediatric nurses will advise parents about prenatal genetic screening (Lessick and Anderson, 2000); perioperative nurses will counsel patients in regard to genetic information (Lea and Tinley, 1998); and oncology nurses are already in the position "to Nurses as information providers translate [genetic] information to patients and their families and, ultimately, enhance comprehensive care through patient education and advocacy" (Stoltzfus et al, 2001, p. 201).…”