Diploma in Operation Theatre Assistant

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Operation Theatre & Human Anatomy

Theory

• Introduction to Operation Theatre Technology
• Role and responsibilities of an Operation Theatre Assistant
• Basic human anatomy and physiology
• Major body systems and surgical relevance
• Hospital departments and OT workflow
• Professional ethics and patient confidentiality

Practical

• Identification of major anatomical structures
• Introduction to OT layout and zones
• Patient identification and communication
• Basic OT workflow observation
• Professional grooming and behaviour

Unit 2: Operation Theatre Preparation & Management

Theory

• OT design, zones and workflow
• Pre-operative preparation of OT
• OT furniture and equipment
• Surgical table, lights and suction systems
• Preparation of surgical supplies
• OT safety and emergency readiness

Practical

• Cleaning and preparation of OT
• Arranging equipment and supplies
• Checking suction and other basic equipment
• Preparing the operating table
• OT checklist preparation
• Maintaining sterile and non-sterile areas

Unit 3: Surgical Instruments & Equipment

Theory

• Classification of surgical instruments
• General surgical instruments
• Cutting, grasping and retracting instruments
• Clamping and suturing instruments
• Basic electrosurgical equipment
• Identification, handling and maintenance

Practical

• Identification of common surgical instruments
• Instrument counting
• Instrument arrangement and tray preparation
• Safe handling of instruments
• Basic equipment checks
• Instrument documentation

Unit 4: Sterilization, Disinfection & Infection Control

Theory

• Principles of asepsis and antisepsis
• Infection prevention and control
• Cleaning and decontamination
• Sterilization methods
• Autoclave and other sterilization equipment
• Biomedical waste management
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Practical

• Hand hygiene techniques
• Donning and doffing PPE
• Cleaning and decontamination procedures
• Preparation of instrument sets
• Autoclave operation under supervision
• Sterilization indicators and documentation
• Biomedical waste segregation

Unit 5: Surgical Procedures & OT Assistance – I

Theory

• Principles of surgical procedures
• General surgery procedures
• Basic procedures in abdominal surgery
• Orthopedic surgery overview
• ENT and ophthalmic procedures
• Surgical team roles and communication

Practical

• Preparing OT for selected procedures
• Surgical trolley preparation
• Instrument arrangement according to procedure
• Supporting the scrub/circulating team under supervision
• Maintaining sterile field
• Surgical count procedures

Unit 6: Patient Preparation & Perioperative Care

Theory

• Pre-operative patient preparation
• Patient identification and documentation
• Patient positioning principles
• Transportation and transfer
• Basic monitoring awareness
• Post-operative recovery and patient support
• Patient safety and dignity

Practical

• Patient transfer techniques
• Safe positioning under supervision
• Pre-operative checklist
• Basic vital-sign observation
• Preparation of recovery area
• Post-operative cleaning and support

Unit 7: Surgical Procedures & OT Assistance – II

Theory

• Obstetric and gynecological procedures
• Urological procedures
• Neurosurgical and spinal surgery overview
• Cardiothoracic surgery overview
• Emergency and trauma surgery
• Specialized OT equipment

Practical

• OT preparation for different surgical specialties
• Specialty instrument identification
• Surgical trolley and equipment preparation
• Emergency OT preparation drills
• Assistance with specimen handling according to hospital protocol
• Documentation and surgical checklist practice

Unit 8: Anesthesia, Emergency Care & Patient Safety

Theory

• Introduction to anesthesia
• Types of anesthesia and basic concepts
• Anesthesia equipment awareness
• Patient monitoring principles
• Basic life support awareness
• Surgical emergencies
• Fire, electrical and occupational safety

Practical

• Preparation of anesthesia area
• Basic anesthesia equipment identification
• Patient monitoring observation
• Emergency trolley preparation
• Basic Life Support practice as permitted by training standards
• Emergency response drills
• OT fire-safety procedures

Unit 9: OT Documentation, Quality Control & Professional Practice

Theory

• OT records and documentation
• Surgical safety checklists
• Instrument and sponge count documentation
• Inventory and stock management
• Quality assurance in OT
• Occupational health and safety
• Professional communication and teamwork

Practical

• Maintaining OT registers
• Stock and inventory records
• Surgical checklist documentation
• Instrument count records
• Equipment maintenance logs
• Incident and safety reporting
• Team communication exercises

Unit 10: Integrated Operation Theatre Practicum

Theory

• Complete OT workflow
• Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative responsibilities
• Coordination with surgeons, nurses, anesthetic teams and other staff
• Professional conduct and patient safety
• Review of infection-control and sterilization procedures
• Career-oriented OT practices

Practical

• Complete OT preparation
• Instrument and trolley preparation
• Sterile technique practice
• Patient preparation and positioning under supervision
• Surgical assistance procedures within the assistant's defined scope
• Instrument counting and documentation
• Post-operative OT procedures
• Supervised clinical/OT internship or practicum

Final Project

Operation Theatre Management & Surgical Assistance Project

Students complete a supervised OT-based project covering:

• Selection of an approved surgical procedure/case
• OT preparation checklist
• Patient preparation and safety checklist
• Required instruments and equipment
• Surgical trolley arrangement
• Sterilization and infection-control procedures
• PPE and aseptic practices
• Surgical count documentation
• OT workflow and team responsibilities
• Post-operative OT cleaning and preparation
• Inventory/documentation records
• Quality and safety observations
• Written project report
• Practical demonstration
• Final presentation and viva

Final Practical: Complete simulated or supervised OT preparation and surgical assistance workflow from pre-operative preparation through post-operative procedures.