Circulator out of room time during a case?

carcha · Aug 19, 2004

For me I guess I would have to say it would have to depend on what the circulator was getting. If for instance she was getting me an extra instrument I needed then I know she was going how long she should take and therefore when she would be coming back. That kind of "quick trip" I dont mind. However if everyone else was at break and I only had one circulator then she wouldent leave the room for anything else. I think we have all been in situations where our circulator circulates more outside the room then inside. When I have come accross this I make my feelings quite clear and it dosent happen again. I would never leave the scrub unattended so why should I put up with someone who would. Also for a major case or a child ect I always make sure there is at least one circulator in the room at all times no one leaves for anything.

stevierae · Aug 19, 2004

Whenever I have to leave the room for ANY reason--and I make my trip out as quick as possible--I always say out loud, so that the scrub, anesthesia and the surgeon can hear--"I am going to step out of the room for just one minute--" that way, no one can all of a sudden look up and start whining that the circulator is gone--not understanding that she is GONE because she is on a mission to get something for THEM.

Anesthesia is usually pretty cool about adding supplies to the field, putting those supplies (if counted items, such as laps or sutures) on the count board, and TELLING you exactly what they added, in the event it needs to be charged for.

So in answer to how long it is reasonable to be out of the room--as long as it takes, and no longer, to get what is needed for the case at hand.

If the scrub has been good about getting his supplies for the case at hand in the FIRST place--then having to leave the room for back table supplies should be minimal.

However, we all know that often cases start out as one thing and end up as something entirely different--or that the room hasn't been stocked with basics, making one have to run out to the sterile core or storerooms to get basic supplies that should be in the room--or instruments needed are on someone else's case cart, or in use in another room, and the circulator has to go from room to room to find that instrument and negotiate with that crew to give it up--or find something else that will do in a pinch--then the item must be washed at the scrub sink and flashed--or, anesthesia needs supplies such as narcotics that often must be signed out after waiting one's turn at the Pyxis.

Sometimes I think that some scrubs don't realize that we are not all out of the room socializing and taking extended coffee breaks and ignoring them--more often, in fact, we are out there busting our a**es to find what they should have had on their back tables in the first place.

granny7 · Aug 20, 2004

Stevierae..........Once again you hit the nail on the head!!!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 20, 2004

If the scrub has been good about getting his supplies for the case at hand in the FIRST place--then having to leave the room for back table supplies should be minimal. .

Sometimes I think that some scrubs don't realize that we are not all out of the room socializing and taking extended coffee breaks and ignoring them--more often, in fact, we are out there busting our a**es to find what they should have had on their back tables in the first place.

Not always the scrub's fault, when you have a surgeon who decides he wants everything that you don't have in the room and the complete opposite, even though you went by the preference sheets to open supplies, and asked him ahead of time for any changes. I never saw so much crap get wasted in my healthcare years as i did today, and it was so bad we had 1 circulator for the room and another who acted as a gopher, otherwise the original circ. would have stayed out in the back hall the entire case.

For a day of TAHs with BSOs.

stevierae · Aug 21, 2004

Not always the scrub's fault, when you have a surgeon who decides he wants everything that you don't have in the room and the complete opposite, even though you went by the preference sheets to open supplies, and asked him ahead of time for any changes. I never saw so much crap get wasted in my healthcare years as i did today, and it was so bad we had 1 circulator for the room and another who acted as a gopher, otherwise the original circ. would have stayed out in the back hall the entire case.
For a day of TAHs with BSOs.

Yes, that's true--those situations happen, as well. Too often.