circulator jewelry

lindaloo51 · May 20, 2004

No one in our OR wears any visible jewelry. This includes rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces or any piercings. 2 years ago we were cited by public health for an anesthetist wearing a plain wedding band during a section in OB. So the circulator may wear a watch period. No necklace chains can be visible at all. Company reps also are required to remove jewelry. The hardest to enforce has been the docs. Patients are allowed a wedding ring except for major surgeries where even they must be removed. (our docs orders because of the risk of hand swelling)

I think AORN has a standard that addresses this. I don't have it at hand right now but that is where I would start.

odatrn · May 20, 2004

Circulators may only wear a watch, no other jewlery. That includes covering earrings, etc. We have signs posted every where, have a policy about it, and remind Xray, anesthesia personel, sales reps, surgeons. We have been told this a Joint Commission thing, I have not personally seen the policy.

We also have difficulty with the surgeons not wanting to take off their necklaces. I had a simple solution: Document that they are aware of the policy, and if Joint gets them, let them get the ding AND pay the $$$$$. Of course we won't do that, because at our facility we continue to enable their unacceptable behavior......as in being a baby about taking off necklaces..........

stevierae · May 21, 2004

Oh, for Gods' sake. At first I thought this was a JOKE.

2 words: SACRED COW. I thought we got over all this nonsense years ago, when we got rid of the stupid rule that dictated we had to wear shoe covers and cover gowns outside the suite, and realized that wearing street shoes in the OR did NOT contribute to surgical infection rates.

Everytime some new middle management "suit" comes aboard, there is some new ridiculous rule made: We had to give up wearing scrub dresses, due to invalid and insulting concerns about "perineal fallout" (as if women went around shedding, like dogs or cats, despite underwear and pantyhose.) We can no longer wear hoop earrings that peek outside our caps. We can no longer wear cloth caps. In some ORs, you cannot bring your own scrubs that have been laundered at home. We can no longer wear sculptured nails. We can no longer wear nail polish. Next it will be "No lipstick." Then, "No makeup whatsoever." Where do we draw the line and say, "Enough!"

All of this is nonsense, in my opinion, because hospital aquired infections are normally acquired POST-OP, on the floors, due to poor handwashing practices among caregivers!! Plus, pre-op prophylactic antibiotics are SOC, these days!! So, where is the link between jewelry etc. and infection? I'd really like to see a study that proves that wearing jewelry contributes to higher surgical infection rates.

Honestly, some of these bean counters have FAR too much time on their hands.

I am glad I work in CA, where some of the best and most educated and experienced RNs and techs that I have ever had the privilege of working with have nose rings, etc. and people have far more important things to do and think about then functioning as clothing/jewelry Nazis.

Some of the best women surgeons I've ever worked with have colorful dangling earring collections that they love to wear and show off, and why not? Aren't they entitled to show a little bit of ingenuity, femininity, individuality and playfulness while wearing baggy and unflattering scrubs?

And please, let's not bring up that old saw about "what if an earring falls off into a patient's surgical wound." I've worked around ORs for 30 years and seen a lot of things, but never have I seen that happen.

I have a lot more of a problem with the people who, for whatever reason--(No, wait; I actually HAVE heard the reason--they want to be "natural") do not believe in showering or bathing daily, or using deodorant, and have the offensive smell to prove it. Why are the bean counters not zeroing in on addressing this problem? There seems to be at least one of these individuals in every operating room.

shodobe · May 22, 2004

I personally would like to "see" all cases done where all participants were in the "buff"! Now wouldn't this take care of all problems related to any type of contamination or hiding of contraband! I also thought this was someones idea of a joke and I totally agree with stevierae on her comments. All of the ladies I work with wear nice rings, colorful earings, nice watches and such. If they scrub, they take them off of course. The circulators take off watches when they prep patients. I do, however, have problems with the one who has a 4" nose ring! I am kidding! I am glad where I work because we have no such policy and will never have one. Every where I have worked, in California, no such policy exists. I know, Californians are a bit strange and twisted, but hey, we have such great weather. There are a ton of other issues that should be addressed in ORs and what people wear shouldn't be one of them. Stevierae, I love the "sacred cow" line, hits it right on the button. Mike

stevierae · May 22, 2004

I personally would like to "see" all cases done where all participants were in the "buff"! Mike

LOL, Shodobe, that reminds me of something said once at a place where I was a traveler!! People were talking about the lucrative money to be made if you were willing to prostitute yourself by working for a company that specialized in supplying nurses to striking hospitals--this was in the '90s, and even then you could make up to $1000 a day.

This staff tech said, "A thousand dollars A DAY? I would WORK NAKED for a thousand dollars a day."

One of the surgeons said, "SO WOULD I!! Where do I sign up?!"

That really prompted a lot of laughs, because the surgeon was one of those short, jolly, rotund guys and we were all picturing him naked; he laughed just as hard as anybody else.

(Hope the phrase "prostitute" didn't offend anybody that does this type of scab, uh, I mean NURSING, work, but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.)

carcha · May 22, 2004

Yeah, I'm with Stevierae, this practice of no jewelry on the circulating nurse sounds a bit extreme. What is the basis behind it?. I can understand the immediate scrub team but those who circulate, answer phones ect, why?

lindaloo51 · May 22, 2004

Sorry folks, Here in Illinois, it is the law!!!!!!!!! Right there in the IDPH rules and regs for hospital licensure it says that no one in the operating room may wear any jewelry. Granted this hasn't been changed in over 20 years, but that's what it says. Don't say that I agree, just that I know that we got dinged for it.

shodobe · May 22, 2004

Sorry to hear that lindaloo51. Sounds like one of those real old laws that no one seemed to think about revising from the "dark ages". Hey, got to go I have one of those "from hell" days today. Lots of ortho and junk to do on my call day. Mike

stevierae · May 22, 2004

Sorry to hear that lindaloo51. Sounds like one of those real old laws that no one seemed to think about revising from the "dark ages". Hey, got to go I have one of those "from hell" days today. Lots of ortho and junk to do on my call day. Mike

Shodobe, do I need to give you my lecture on how call is no longer fun after the age of 30, and free time becomes so much more valuable that they just can't pay you enough to give it up? You should be out on the beach with your dogs, throwing frisbees and enjoying quality time with your wife. :chuckle

Seriously, lindaloo, I agree with shodobe--I think that you and your colleagues should approach OR management, infection control and risk management about how archaic these ideas are, and lobby to get them changed. Feel free to use my comments, and, if you'd like, you can even use my real name and credentials--just p.m. me if you'd like. Ask to see the literature that supports these decisions--I am betting they will be unable to produce it. :uhoh21: I would also approach AORN and JCAHO to intervene on your behalf.

mcmike55 · May 23, 2004

You didn't think I would start this mess and walk away did you??

Wait, maybe you would......But I won't!

Stevie and Shodo....great to hear from ya'. I had a feeling this would get you "rialed" up, frankly I agree.

As far as it being a sacred cow, I have not seen any reason to not think, you all are correct! Someone needs to prove this!! One way or another!

As I said, I don't have all the info, but in my hospital's prep for a commission visit, I think this is where this came from. My supervisor got an E-mail from someone who took a hit on this issue.

I am not in favor of this. I understand when scrubbing they come off. I also feel that "some' jewelry could prohibit you from proper hand washing, or doing a proper prep.

That said, unless you are "Mrs Gotrocks" and wear bracelets up to your elbows, numerous rings, etc (and who could) I just don't understand!