Any tips for setting up my table/instruments please?

[penny77]

Hi,

So I have about half a year's experience in the OR and it's been a steep learning curve! Currently I'm trying to hone my skills as a scrub nurse and am experiencing a bit of difficulty as I do not scrub regularly and as often as I presume would be ideal to develop consistency. I was wondering if any of you could share some tips on how to organize my table? For example, what is your system of placing the small items on your table (sutures, needles, clips, ties, syringes..) where do like to you place your sponge, drapes, pharmacy.. how do you place items on your mayo stand, or in your pan. I hate that feeling of panic when you can't locate an instrument you know you have on your table!

Please share all your valuable insight!

Thanks,

Pen

[Argo]

Always put all your basics in the same place. That way regardless of the adequate you can grab the blade, allis, Pean, adson.... real quick. The put awe specific instrumentation in the same place on your table in the same place..... the more consistent you are the faster you willl find stuff. Everyone is different so find your own way to do it. Don't take ten different peoples ways for ten different cases. You will be lost forever.

[Libitina]

I put mine in the order they will be used, ie 'knife, fork, spoon'. Sutures I keep in a small gallipot stood in a receiver with my prep. Then I move the empty packets into the receiver itself.

Like you, I'm still learning and keep rearranging my table to find the way that works best for me. I basically keep it the way my preceptor showed me but add in bits from other scrub nurses.

[Kingbandit]

The most important thing is consistency, always set up the same no matter what the case is. That way it becomes rote memory. Next is to organize by need, if the first thing the Dr needs is Allison clamps don't have retractors ad the first instrument. Keep your sharps off the mayo you can catch a sleeve on a knife or needle very easily. Finally practice, never turn down an opportunity to scrub even if its an easy case. Good luck.