1. What is perioperative nursing?
A. Perioperative nursing was formerly referred to as “operating room nursing” but over time the term “perioperative nursing” was seen to be more appropriate as the responsibilities of the operating room nurse expanded. Perioperative nursing is a nursing specialty that works with patients who are having surgery or other interventional procedures. Perioperative nursing encompasses a range of specialised roles.
2. What do perioperative nurses do?
A. Perioperative nurses work closely with surgeons and anaesthetists to provide patient care within the framework of the nursing process.
3. What is a Perioperative Nurse – Surgeon’s Assistant (PNSA)?
A. PNSAs are senior experienced perioperative nurses who have undertaken additional university study and training that allows them to perform the role of surgical assistant, which is usually performed by junior doctors.
4. Do you have a provider number?
A. No. PNSAs have been promised provider numbers by the government for the last 25 years but this has yet to occur. Our role has similarities to the Nurse Practitioner and Midwifery role that has been granted provider numbers, and our professional association, AANSA, has been lobbying strongly for provision of provider numbers. This is due to be addressed in the current Medicare review but sadly that is running sorely behind schedule.
5. How do you bill?
A. I bill patients directly. This can be one of several methods negotiated with the surgeon. I usually bill a flat rate of $300 for the first two hours then $100 per hour thereafter for most surgeries.
Alternately as with many surgical assistants, I may calculate my fee as a percentage of the surgeon’s fee per operation. A medical assistant would simply bill that amount and patients would have to claim a Medicare rebate. As my fee is not Medicare rebatable, I look up the Medicare rebate and subtract it from my fee so that patients are no more out of pocket for me than any other assistant.
Workers comp, Third Party and Military Garrison claims are handled as usual through the companies.
As DVA cases are an offshoot of the medicare system I cannot bill directly for DVA cases. However if needed I may negotiate with the surgeon another method of payment.