Robotic Surgery – Challenges in Nursing Practice

Abstract

Introduction: Robotic technology and the increasing reduction of invasive surgeries are changing the environment in which the medical team works and how the nurses are looking after their patients. The perioperative evaluation and behavior during surgical procedures in nursing requires attention and focus on the different aspects of the patient's condition. To ensure high-quality care, a better understanding of robotics history, the technology's current applications, and the responsibility that each individual has during the set period is needed.

The nursing activities determine the comfort level of the patients and their overall condition.

Aim: The aim of this article is to determine the challenges that the nursing team faces with robotic technology and the possibilities of better application of nursing activities and care.

Materials and Methods: The statements of doctors, other medical staff, and nurses (n = 336) have been used for this report. The data has been collected from hospitals located in Bulgaria alone, where robotic surgery is applied to evaluate the challenges within the nursing practice.

Results:

1. New approaches, algorithms, and organizations of the work of the medical specialist are needed within the current practice.
2. The nurse plays a key role in coordinating and conducting the tasks throughout the process of the minimally invasive surgical procedure.
3. Although many regulations of medical standards exist, in nursing, there is room for improvement in terms of the standardization of those activities conducted during the perioperative period in robotic surgery.