Management of the Patient in the Recovery Setting HEA3184

Overview

This module has been developed in order to facilitate the development of knowledge, skills and underlying principles of safe and effective post-anaesthetic recovery practice. It is designed to be inter-professional and is directed at practitioners working in the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) participating in post-anaesthetic recovery care.

Module code:	HEA3184
Level:	6
Module credits:	20
Cost for new students:	£1000 for September 2025 to July 2026

If you are an existing student who is undertaking this module as part of a programme, your fee will have been advised to you by email. You can also check your fees online. For any queries, please contact [email protected]

If your tuition fee is being paid by a sponsor or you are a sponsor paying a student’s fee, you are required to send a copy of a purchase order to [email protected].

For further guidance please visit: Sponsored students – Edge Hill University

Who is this module for?

This module is for a Registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) or Registered Nurse, who needs to build on their skill and evidence base to underpin practice, and the qualified practitioner who has a breadth of practical experience but limited academic qualification or specific experience to support their practice. This module is also suitable for those on a degree pathway, to enhance leadership skills in the recovery setting.

Students must be registered with their respective professional bodies (NMC/HCPC) and have the necessary prior educational and academic experience to achieve Level 6 learning outcomes. It is necessary for the student to be working in a clinical area that allows them to meet the learning outcomes.

The candidates must also have access to an internet ready computer for the duration of the module. This requirement will be checked through the admissions process to ensure the learner has internet access for the duration of the module.

This module is available to students who wish to study online basis only.

What are the key aims of the module?

The overarching rationale for this module is to develop safe, competent and confident practitioners who can underpin their post-anaesthetic recovery care with appropriate evidence. The operating department continues to require practitioners to work across disciplines and obtain new skills in specialist areas. Post-anaesthetic recovery is a specialist area in which highly dependent patients require competent skilled practitioners. There is therefore a sustained need for skilled and educated practitioners within post-anaesthetic recovery care.

The post anaesthetic recovery area plays a vital role in providing patient care which ensures maximum safety and comfort post operatively. Post-anaesthetic care remains an integral part of perioperative practice and is a unique and specialised field. The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (2009, 2010) set out guidelines and recommendations for practitioners in relation to recovery room core skills, transferring of acutely ill patients and discharge criteria. This module aims to address those core recommendations and explore the principles and application of skills associated with practising within professional boundaries as a perioperative practitioner.

Practitioners accessing this module will normally have begun to develop reflective, analysis and ICT skills. This module will develop these skills to facilitate enquiry-based approaches thus engendering independent learning skills applied to post-anaesthetic recovery care.

How will I study?

This module includes 4 face-to-face study days, based at St James’ Manchester with online resources to work through, over a 15-week period.
This module is also available to students who wish to study online basis only.

What will I study?

Principles of post-anaesthetic recovery care practice

• What is PACU?
• PACU assessment
• Clinical monitoring
• Airway management
• Post-operative Analgesia
• Evaluating post-anaesthetic recovery care

Health, safety and risk

• Risk assessment
• Infection control

Law and Ethics

• Consent
• Legal issues and accountability

Specialist Skills and role expectations

• competency frameworks
• Specialist skills and core competencies
• Care planning – opportunities and considerations
• Action planning – Short, medium and long term objectives
• Change Management
• Leadership

 

How will I be assessed?

All students should submit a Practice Assessment Document which includes a portfolio of evidence.
Practice Assessment Document is graded as a Pass/Fail.

100% of the grade awarded is on the Coursework. Coursework has 2 options:

Option 1: 3,000 word assignment

OR

Option 2: 15 minute presentation (50%) and a supporting paper of 1,500 words (50%).
If option 2 is chosen both parts have to be passed.

Both Practice Assessment Document and Coursework (either Option 1 or Option 2) need to be successfully completed to gain an overall pass.

On successful completion you will:

• Achieve and apply competencies within the post-anaesthetic recovery care practitioner’s role
• Critically examine a range of evidence to determine best practice in post-anaesthetic care
• Critically analyse an area of post-anaesthetic care practice appraising care planning and formulate an achievable action plan.

Study dates and venues

How to apply

Module availability varies from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Due to the popularity of some modules it may be that the module is fully booked when your application is received. We will include your details on a waiting list and allocate you a place on the next available intake.

Applications will be open from Tuesday, 1 April 2025

For details of how to apply, please visit the apply page.

Contact us

For further information regarding module availability, study dates and costs please contact the School of Allied Health, Social Work and Wellbeing on [email protected].

If you have any queries regarding module content and your suitability to study please contact the Module Coordinator Fazeela Patel on [email protected].

Pathways

This module can be studied on a stand alone basis. It is an optional module on the

• BSc (Hons) Clinical and Professional Perioperative Practice