Jacque Roberts

Biography

Jacque Roberts Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant (RNFSA) for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at Waikato Hospital.

I began training for RNFSA in 2010, after working in surgical wards and PACU for several years.  I completed my post graduate diploma in Advanced Nursing at Auckland University in 2012. 

As a RNFSA at Waikato hospital I assist with all types of cardio-thoracic surgery and harvest conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery.  I work within the entire perioperative continuum, with visiting pre-surgical patients for conduit choice and pre-operative education and review my surgical wounds on the ward post-surgery.

It is a very busy and fulfilling role within the DHB, with cardiac surgery completing over 600 cases per year.

Presentation Topic

PEARS Procedure

In 2016, Mr Nick Odom and Mr Adam El Gamel at Waikato Hospital began this innovative procedure to provide external support to an enlarged aortic root using a customized flexible mesh: ‘personalized external aortic root support’ (PEARS).

My presentation will outline what and how the PEARS procedure works, the benefits for patients and considerations for theatre nurses and RNFSAs assisting in theatre.