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

Greetings!

I would check with your state's Board of Nursing practice consultant.

Be specific. Our consultant was quite helpful with my questions about the scope

of practice related to unlicensed personnel.

Good luck and you aren't alone.

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.

Your are absolutely correct, I aggree with you totally. They can read,and they can be taught. But do not have a license or the training and our patients deserve the best. Our techs are not allowed to dispense meds. There should always be an RN in the room anyway. No reason for them to do it.....

Techs can't give the meds. Circulating depends ont he state regulations, but where i work at the techs and LPNs are trained to circulate just so they know what it consists of, and in case of emergency (rare) situations.

Techs can't give the meds. Circulating depends ont he state regulations, but where i work at the techs and LPNs are trained to circulate just so they know what it consists of, and in case of emergency (rare) situations.

This subject has been brought up before. Go through the search and read prvious posts. As far as I know there is no state that allows STs to circulate for any reason. They have their job to do and I have mine and that is to watch them. Mike

This subject has been brought up before. Go through the search and read prvious posts. As far as I know there is no state that allows STs to circulate for any reason. They have their job to do and I have mine and that is to watch them. Mike

This will depend on what your state and hospital allows.

To answer your question, yes they can. Now, does it happen everywhere or is it expected, no.

CST's are trained to do this role as part of their accredited program. We do recognize the fact that the CST's primary role is not circulating. Many hospitals utilize RN's for this role and some do utilize the CST. I agree with Mailkrans about checking into what the state allows. Unless it is stated by state law, hospitals can do what they feel is necessary.

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

Where I work, I am glad to say this is not an issue with our staff. We all work together to do what it takes to give out patients the best care. RN or CST. We are a team and we do what needs to be done. Our hospital utilizes an RN for the primary "circulator". This is the one person that will sign off on the many papers involved. I will say that I do not sign off and am not the sole person responsible for this action. I will, however, do any other "circulator" tasks if the need is there.

When drawing up meds, spiking meds, or giving meds to the field, I do what is hospital policy and I verify the meds with the primary circulator and the person who is receiving them.

~Lonman

This will depend on what your state and hospital allows.

To answer your question, yes they can. Now, does it happen everywhere or is it expected, no.

CST's are trained to do this role as part of their accredited program. We do recognize the fact that the CST's primary role is not circulating. Many hospitals utilize RN's for this role and some do utilize the CST. I agree with Mailkrans about checking into what the state allows. Unless it is stated by state law, hospitals can do what they feel is necessary.

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

Where I work, I am glad to say this is not an issue with our staff. We all work together to do what it takes to give out patients the best care. RN or CST. We are a team and we do what needs to be done. Our hospital utilizes an RN for the primary "circulator". This is the one person that will sign off on the many papers involved. I will say that I do not sign off and am not the sole person responsible for this action. I will, however, do any other "circulator" tasks if the need is there.

When drawing up meds, spiking meds, or giving meds to the field, I do what is hospital policy and I verify the meds with the primary circulator and the person who is receiving them.

~Lonman

This will depend on what your state and hospital allows.

To answer your question, yes they can. Now, does it happen everywhere or is it expected, no.

CST's are trained to do this role as part of their accredited program. We do recognize the fact that the CST's primary role is not circulating. Many hospitals utilize RN's for this role and some do utilize the CST. I agree with Mailkrans about checking into what the state allows. Unless it is stated by state law, hospitals can do what they feel is necessary.

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

Where I work, I am glad to say this is not an issue with our staff. We all work together to do what it takes to give out patients the best care. RN or CST. We are a team and we do what needs to be done. Our hospital utilizes an RN for the primary "circulator". This is the one person that will sign off on the many papers involved. I will say that I do not sign off and am not the sole person responsible for this action. I will, however, do any other "circulator" tasks if the need is there.

When drawing up meds, spiking meds, or giving meds to the field, I do what is hospital policy and I verify the meds with the primary circulator and the person who is receiving them.

~Lonman

This will depend on what your state and hospital allows.

To answer your question, yes they can. Now, does it happen everywhere or is it expected, no.

CST's are trained to do this role as part of their accredited program. We do recognize the fact that the CST's primary role is not circulating. Many hospitals utilize RN's for this role and some do utilize the CST. I agree with Mailkrans about checking into what the state allows. Unless it is stated by state law, hospitals can do what they feel is necessary.

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

Where I work, I am glad to say this is not an issue with our staff. We all work together to do what it takes to give out patients the best care. RN or CST. We are a team and we do what needs to be done. Our hospital utilizes an RN for the primary "circulator". This is the one person that will sign off on the many papers involved. I will say that I do not sign off and am not the sole person responsible for this action. I will, however, do any other "circulator" tasks if the need is there.

When drawing up meds, spiking meds, or giving meds to the field, I do what is hospital policy and I verify the meds with the primary circulator and the person who is receiving them.

~Lonman

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

~Lonman

Lonman, we have had this discussion before. Operating room nurses don't need to define "circulating" for each other--we know what the role involves. Our governing body, AORN, which is also the organization on which operating room policies and procedures are based, requires that the circulator be a Registered Nurse.

The thread shodobe refers to is entitled "Should surgical technicians circulate?" Here is the link:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64713&highlight=techs+circulating

Also what is interesting is the definition of "circulating". Out of all the comments from this topic, not once did anyone have a definition of circulating.

~Lonman

Lonman, we have had this discussion before. Operating room nurses don't need to define "circulating" for each other--we know what the role involves. Our governing body, AORN, which is also the organization on which operating room policies and procedures are based, requires that the circulator be a Registered Nurse.

The thread shodobe refers to is entitled "Should surgical technicians circulate?" Here is the link:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64713&highlight=techs+circulating