Can a surg. tech. "circulate" a case -give medications?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

At the hospital where I currently practice we sometimes have 2-RNs and 1-Surg. Tech in a room (on good days). In some cases the Surg. Tech. is allowed to "ciculate" the room with one of the RNs. My question is when a surg tech "ciculates" can they spike IV bags or give medications to the scrub RN for the surgical field? I have refused to allow the ST to spike IV bags or give me drugs when I am scrubbed because I think that this exceeds her scope of practice but I am not sure. I have asked this question to AORN without results but I think this question goes beyond AORN into the Board of Nursing Practice Act. Please help me to bring some clarity to this situation.

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Remember to follow your state rules governing your scope of practice. It doesn't matter whether you know how to do something, if it doesn't come under that scope you are doing something ILLEGAL! Some of you haven't been in the OR long enough to form some of these ridiculous opinions. Save yourselves grief and follow the rules. If your state says this is exceptable then OK, if not then stop doing things you are not allowed to do. I do both ends of the job and allow the techs to do just what they are allowed to do because the ultimate responsibility is mine and my a** is on the line if they screw up despite what some posters will lead you to believe.

Scope of practice? ST's should never hand up anything that comes out of the med PYXIS.

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