In the United Kingdom, operating department practitioners (ODPs) are allied healthcare professionals[1] who are involved in the planning and delivery of perioperative care.
[2] As the name suggests, they are primarily employed in surgical operating departments, but they may also work directly within (or further their training to facilitate working within) a variety of acute clinical settings, including pre-hospital emergency care, emergency departments, intensive care units (ICUs), endoscopy suites, interventional radiology, cardiac catheter suites, obstetric theatres and reproductive medicine.
[5] ODPs work as members of multi-disciplinary teams that include anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, radiographers, physician's assistant and theatre support workers (TSWs).
[6] Since 2018, a "national operating department practitioner day" has been celebrated annually on 14 May, aiming to highlight their role within healthcare.
[7] Operating department practitioners are subject to specific standards of proficiency as laid out by the Health & Care Professions Council.
Their primary role is to function in tandem alongside their colleagues in order to establish a team which can effectively provide and maintain safe anaesthesia during surgery.
This role requires the application of evidence-based practice and critical thinking alongside a wide range of professional and clinical abilities.
This includes the correct function and availability of essential medical gases and associated ventilatory equipment and breathing apparatus.
They are also routinely charged as being custodians of the controlled drugs/scheduled medications held within their dedicated theatre, being assigned security keys which remain on their person throughout the day.
The ODP may administer treatments such as, the administration of prescribed drugs, enabling the patient to fully recover from the effects of anaesthesia.
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is the minimum standard of training required to work as an ODP in the United Kingdom.
[17] ODPs with a minimum of three years clinical experience with a degree level qualification, can apply for training to become an anaesthesia associate.
Upon successful completion of an Anaesthesia Associate Postgraduate Diploma, practitioners are invited to become an affiliate of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.