Chapter 1 surg tech

CHAPTER

Orientation to

Surgical

Technology

Objectives: General

• After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the principles of communication in the surgical setting

• Trace the historical development of surgical technology

• Recognize members of the surgical team and their roles

The Surgical Team

Four Members include:

Surgeon, First scrub,

Anesthesia care provider

Circulating nurse

Three phases of surgical case management:

Preoperative

• Occurs prior to initiation of surgical procedure

Intraoperative

• Occurs while procedure is being performed

Postoperative

• Begins when procedure is terminated

Nonsterile Surgical Team

Members

• Circulator: registered nurse, licensed practical or vocational nurse, or ST

• Anesthesia provider: physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist

• Radiology technologist or pathologist

Sterile Surgical Team

Members

• Include:

• Surgeon

• First scrub ST

• Second scrub ST

Areas of Specialty

• Specialties

• American College of Surgeons (ACS) recognizes 14 specialties

• Each specialty has subspecialties

• Specialties: obstetric and gynecologic, ophthalmic, reconstructive, etc.

Broad categories of surgical procedures

Emergency: immediate surgical intervention

Urgent: requires

treatment within a short period

Elective: does not have to be performed immediately, optional.

Within each classification are three phases: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative

Perioperative: all three phases

Surgical

Technology

Profession

• Allied health care professionals who are an integral part of the surgical team

• Work under the supervision of a surgeon

• Theory and application of sterile technique

• Knowledge of human anatomy, pathology and surgical procedures

Surgical Technology Profession

• Professionalism

• Refers to maintaining competence in a specialized body of knowledge and skills

• Begins with competency and commitment in the workplace

• Contains several important traits, such as honesty, cooperation, and ability to problem-solve and prioritize

• Includes the obligation to support and develop the profession

Education and

Certification

Education

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHP)

• Accreditation Review Council on

• Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)

Certification

• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

Professional

Organizations

AST: Professional Organization for ST

National nonprofit professional organization for STs

Ensures STs have knowledge and skills required to administer patient care

ST Mission statement:

Enhancing the profession to ensure quality patient care

Moral and legal duty, obligation to the patient

Employability

• Basic employability skills

• Work ethics, detail oriented

• Communication skills

• Dedication and adaptability

• Responsibility and accountability

• Personal appearance and hygiene

Key characteristics of an ST

• Ability to prioritize

• Ability to consider alternative solutions

• Evaluate the problem and if it can be solved on an individual basis

• Ability to work with others as a team

• Assess the results of a solution and determine if that solution can be improved if reencountered

Surgical Technology Profession

Advancement

Interview preparation

Interview preparation, to-do list

Resignation: may be written or verbal

Clinical ladder programs

Refer to Table 1-6)

Allow ST to move to positions of increased responsibility

Offer employers a long-term strategy for employee retention

Motivation for ST's to continually improve

The Surgical Technologist's

Lifestyle

• Standing for long periods of time

vo Ability to lift and move heavy objects

U Exposed to communicable diseases,

A Unpleasant sights, smells

Hazardous materials

Surgical

Conscience

Willingness to accept responsibility

Commitment to maintaining confidentiality

Nondiscriminatory treatment of all patients

Cost control

Commitment to practice sterile technique

Teamwork and Communication

Fundamental aspect of surgery

Team members must know their role and the roles of others, must be observant

Effective verbal and nonverbal communication

Principles of teamwork:

Polite, respectful, willingness to compromise, collaboration, discuss processes and potential onflicts, acknowledge alternate solutions

Hospital Organization

• Surgical services

• Traditional ORs

• Free-standing ambulatory surgical center

• Free-standing specialty centers

• Doctor's offices

• Doctor's clinics

• Labor and delivery units

Hospital

Organization

Hospital departments and

interdepartmental communication

• Departments can be categorized as having direct or indirect patient care responsibilities

• Interactions between perioperative services and other hospital departments

Professional

Organizations

List of national organizations related to health care: (Refer to the text)

The Joint Commission

Independent nonprofit organization that develops standards and accredits heath care organizations

Defines a surgical technologist

Summary

• This chapter reviewed several topics

• Historical development of surgery

• Principles of communication

• Surgical team members and roles

• Types of health care facilities

• Hospital organization

• Professional organizations