Annabelle Clapano

Experienced Registered Nurse with 14 years of diverse nursing experience, including 2 years in maternity, medical, and surgical nursing in the Philippines and 12 years in medical and operating theatre nursing in New Zealand. Dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care within fast-paced surgical environments. Proficient in assisting a wide range of surgical procedures, specializing in orthopedic cases such as hips, knees, and shoulder arthroplasties, as well as knee reconstructions, foot and ankle surgeries, hands and upper limb repairs, and shoulder repairs. Committed to ensuring patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction throughout the perioperative process. Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams.

• Clinical Specialty Nurse, Works in collaboration with the ACNM (Associate Charge nurse manager) of orthopaedics in planning, coordinating and delivering planned patient care for patients who will be undergoing surgery. This includes ensuring that implants, sterile sets, consumables and any loans equipments are ordered and prepared ahead. Supports staff and formulates resource materials readily available to new staff. Arranges education days session according to the needs of the orthopaedic staff. Runs, plan and coordinate daily orthopaedic theatre list while working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team (anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, charge nurse, floor coordinator, radiographers, preoperative and post op staff).
• Anaesthetic Nurse, Receives pre-op nurse’s hand over regarding patient. Checks patient’s consents whether they are all signed and dated. Escorts patient into theatre with a parent or guardian as needed, and provides emotional support as needed. Observes and promotes patient safety while anaesthetist is securing airway before planned surgery. Helps in positioning patient for the surgery needed. Does and helps with the after care of patient post-operatively. Escorts patient to PACU and hands over to PACU nurse.
• Circulating Nurse, Ensures all equipments, instruments and consumables needed for said surgery is available. Opens instruments and consumables to scrub nurse while maintaining sterile technique. Monitors and anticipates the needs of the surgical team. Initiates and records the counting of instruments and consumables. Observes breaks in aseptic techniques and calls the attention of the surgical team.
• Scrub Nurse, Performs standard surgical scrub prior to procedure. Prepares sterile field with instruments and consumables needed for the said surgery. Helps surgeon in skin prepping and draping patient while maintaining sterile technique. Does surgical count of instruments and consumables properly and carefully. Assists the surgeons and anticipates the instruments needed during the entire procedure. Keeps the sterile field tidy and orderly.
• Surgical Nurse Assist (only applicable to North Shore Surgical Centre), Assists with patient positioning, skin preparation and draping. Provides wound exposure by using appropriate instruments, retraction, suction and sponging techniques. Assists with transferring patient from the operating room to the post anaesthetic care unit and hands over the patient to the PACU nurse.