Competency Management for the Operating Room

From The Critics

Reviewer: Josie Martin Bowman, RN, MSN, DSN(East Carolina University )
Description: This book presents general information about credentialing and validating competencies. Specific templates are available on a CD for readers to use and develop their own checklists. This is very similar to Competency Management for Medical-Surgical Units by the same authors (HCPro, 2005), except these checklists are specific to OR settings. Since the advice is general, readers should consult professional counsel for specific legal, ethical, or clinical questions.
Purpose: The purpose is not specifically stated, but the book can be used to develop competency checklists and methods of validation for each organization. These are worthy objectives and necessary with much of the accreditation conducted in hospital and healthcare organizations.
Audience: The authors are not specific about the audience. Some aspects are relevant for human resources and some are assumed to be applicable for management responsible for the employee. Nurse managers must validate that nurses reporting to them can perform necessary skills safely and correctly. None of the authors, all RNs, have identified experience in the operating room, but since the focus is on competency, validating that knowledge is not critical.
Features: The authors discuss why competency is important, what the validation consists of, and how to train staff and keep up with the information. General information is presented which may or may not be new, depending on the reader.
Assessment: The templates and guidelines would be useful to individuals new to competency validation and assessment. For someone with experience, this book would not be useful.