Nurse Naila Janifer explores colleague confidence in surgical positioning techniques

One of our clinical research nurses is leading new work to understand how confident theatre teams are in positioning patients for surgery – and whether changes could help improve safety and care.

Naila Janifer, who works at Yeovil Hospital, is carrying out the project as part of the Chief Nurse Research Fellowship after recently moving into a research role from our operating theatres.

With around 16 years’ experience in nursing across Pakistan, Dubai and the UK, Naila says her project has been shaped by her frontline experience of caring for patients before, during and after surgery.

Operating theatre teams are made up of colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience, all working together in a fast-paced environment.

Naila says that this can sometimes lead to differences in knowledge and approach, particularly when it comes to surgical positioning, which is a critical part of patient safety.

“There are different types of surgical positions, and especially in areas like orthopaedics where complex and specialised equipment is required to expose the surgical site,” she says.

“I want to find out how confident colleagues are at preforming surgical positioning and use of different equipment’s in our operating theatres.”

Correct positioning on the operating table is essential to reduce the risk of harm to patients. Poor positioning can increase the likelihood of complications such as nerve injuries, pressure ulcers and breathing difficulties.

Naila’s work will explore how knowledge, planning and teamwork come together to support safe positioning, and where there may be gaps.

Her project focuses on the full theatre team, including assistants, scrub nurses, recovery nurses and operating department practitioners, recognising that each plays an important role at different stages of a patient’s surgical journey.

“Whatever we do, we do it for the safety and care of our patients,” says Naila. “I want to see how confident colleagues are or whether we need any improvement, because we generally rely on training on the job, which means we’re learning while we’re practising.

“With people coming from different professional backgrounds and experiences, there can sometimes be inconsistencies in practice or gaps in understanding.

“This project is about identifying whether there is any additional training or education that could help improve patient outcomes.”

The work will explore whether current approaches to training remain effective, or whether new methods could better support colleagues in a fast-evolving clinical environment.

“Things are evolving all the time, and we need to look at whether we continue to stick with the old ways of training and education, or whether we need to update it to improve things for our patients safety,” she adds.

Naila believes improving confidence and communication within theatre teams could have a direct impact on patient outcomes, particularly for those at higher risk of complications.

“I think my project will benefit those patients who are more prone to skin pressure injuries or experience a prolonged surgical procedure with changing surgical positioning during a procedure,” she says.

“If there’s a lack of communication among the team it could lead to delays in the surgery or prolonged hospitalisation for the patient due to pressure injury.”

She also highlights the potential benefits for colleagues, with clearer processes and more structured learning helping to ease pressure in a demanding clinical environment.

“It can also help to reduce the stress on colleagues, less physical strain, and it’ll lead to a better outcome for the patient too.”

As part of the project, Naila will carry out interviews with colleagues across theatre teams and review existing evidence before writing up her findings and submitting them for further development.

She says the fellowship has given her the opportunity to build her research skills and explore how evidence can be used in practice to improve care.

“During this time, I’m learning how the evidence-based research looks like in our everyday work lives. It’s not something I’ve been familiar with during my career so far,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to learn about how research happens in real life.”

Naila hopes the project will contribute to future studies and help strengthen patient care in surgical settings.

“While this is a small project, it could make a difference, and it could be useful to inform future research also,” she says.

“The clinical work we do can be very stressful and it consumes a lot of energy, but colleagues still come to work every day because they’re passionate about what they’re doing, and it gives them happiness and satisfaction.”