Clinical Perfusion

Definition of the Profession:

The Clinical Perfusionist Professional is an individual qualified by professional credentialing and academic and clinical education to provide extracorporeal patient care services. The scope of practice of the Clinical Perfusionist includes those procedures, acts and processes permitted by law, for which the individual has received education and clinical experience, and in which he/she has demonstrated competency.

Definition of a Clinical Perfusionist:

Clinical Perfusion is a dynamic and continuously evolving profession; listing specific areas within the scope of practice does not exclude emerging areas of practice. A Perfusionist is a skilled, allied health professional, trained and educated, specifically as a member of an open-heart, surgical team responsible for the selection, set-up, and operation of a mechanical device commonly refereed to as the heart-lung machine. During many types of open-heart surgery, the patient's heart is stopped so that it is easier for the surgeon to work on. The patient's blood is diverted away from the heart and lungs into a heart-lung machine. The heart-lung machine takes blood out of the body, oxygenates the blood and then returns the blood to the patient. In effect, the machine assumes the function of both the heart and the lungs. The perfusionist is responsible for operating the machine during surgery, which includes coronary artery bypass surgery valvular surgery, aortic dissections, heart and lung transplants and adult congenital disorders. Monitoring the altered circulatory process closely, taking appropriate corrective action when abnormal situations arise and keeping both the surgeon and the anaesthesiologist fully informed. In addition to the operation of the heart-lung machine during surgery, perfusionists often function in supportive roles for other medical specialties in operating mechanical devices, such as the many ventricular assist devises for heart failure therapy and long-term support such as ECMO. A service which is also provided is Hyperthermic Intraoperative Peritoneal Chemotherapy to treat certain patients with peritoneal carcinoma.

Scope of Practice:

• Cardiopulmonary bypass for adult, paediatrics and neonatal patients.
• Cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital and acquired cardiovascular disorders.
• Extracorporeal resuscitation.
• Extracorporeal circulation for long term support of failing respiratory and/or cardiac function.
• Heart Failure Therapy and Support.
• Ventricular Assist Device Management across Western Australia. ? Platelet Gel Production ? Myocardial protection.
• Hemofiltation / hemodialysis. ? Anticoagulation and hemostasis monitoring, analysis, and intervention.
• Thermal regulation.
• Blood gas and blood chemistry monitoring, analysis, and intervention.
• Physiological monitoring, analysis, and intervention.
• Administration of blood components, pharmaceutical, and anaesthetic agents.
• Heart Failure Therapy and Support
• Organ preservation
• Therapeutic Hyperthermia
• Therapeutic Hypothermia

Professional Performance:

• Works in a partnership with other health care professionals to provide the best medical care possible for all patients.
• Adheres to the standards, policies, and procedures adopted by the profession and regulated by law.
• Participates in continuing education activities through professional organisations, to enhance knowledge, skills and performance.
• Acts as a patient advocate supporting patient rights.

Contact:

Royal Perth Hospital Level 4 North Block Operating Theatres Perfusion Department Telephone: (08) 9224 3117 (08) 9224 3117 xt