MY Operating Room Personnel – The Role of the Circulator Week 3 Surgical Nursing

Circulator

The non-sterile surgical nurse who mediates between sterile and non-sterile personnel and surgical items.

Preoperative Duties

Tasks performed to prepare supplies, equipment, and the operating room for surgery.

Contaminated

A term used to describe an item that is not sterile, needing to be discarded or not used.

Surgical Preparation

The process of ensuring all required equipment and supplies are ready before the surgery starts.

Kick Bucket

A garbage bag used for disposal of waste during surgery.

Surgical Scrub

A procedure performed to reduce contaminants on the skin, greatly minimizing the risk of wound infection.

Gauze Sponge

The most common type of applicator used in surgical scrubs.

Incision Site

The area on the body where a surgical cut or incision is made.

Aseptic Technique

The practices used to maintain sterility and prevent contamination in surgical procedures.

Post-Operative Duties

Activities performed after surgery, including cleaning instruments, restocking supplies, and cleaning the OR.

Sterile Personnel

Individuals in the operating room who are wearing sterile attire and handling sterile instruments.

Exam Gloves

Gloves worn during preparation to minimize contamination from hands.

Antiseptic Scrub Product

The first product used during final surgical scrub, which helps in disinfecting the skin.

Intra-Operative Duties

Tasks performed during the surgery, including the passing of sterile instruments and maintaining aseptic technique.

Bladder

An organ that may need to be expressed to prepare the patient for surgery.

Post-Operative Cleaning

The process of cleaning the surgical room and instruments after surgical procedures.

Disinfectant

A substance applied to surfaces to reduce the risk of infection by killing bacteria and viruses.

Preoperative Assessment

A comprehensive evaluation of the patient's health status before surgery.

Informed Consent

A legal document signed by the patient, confirming that they understand the surgery and its risks.

Vital Signs Monitoring

The process of checking a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

The use of antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection.

Anesthesia

A medical treatment that prevents pain during surgery, can be general or local.

Surgeon

The medical doctor who performs the surgical procedure.

Operating Room (OR)

A sterile environment where surgical procedures are performed.

Scrub Tech

A surgical technologist responsible for maintaining the sterile field and assisting the surgeon.

Scalpel

A small knife used by surgeons to make incisions.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding during surgery.

Specimen

A sample of tissue taken for analysis during surgery.

Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

A recovered area where patients are monitored after anesthesia.

Adjunctive Therapy

Additional treatments used alongside primary surgical intervention.

Wound Care

The management of a surgical incision or injury to promote healing.

Patient Education

The process of informing patients about their surgery, recovery, and care.

Recovery Room

A designated area for patients to awaken from anesthesia and recover post-surgery.

Surgical Instruments

Tools specifically designed for performing surgical procedures.

Radiological Imaging

A diagnostic tool using imaging techniques to visualize internal structures.

Clinical Pathway

A standardized plan outlining the steps for patient care in surgery.

Discharge Instructions

Guidelines provided to the patient for post-operative care and recovery.