Do I need a Stethoscope????

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 12, 2006

Well, yes and no.

Typically our circulators have one of the $14.99 ones around their neck, so in case a doc needs to do a quick assessment, they'll let them borrow their scopes for it. That's the only reason i've seen a nurse wear one in the OR where i work.

Pre-op and post-op, yes, you ought to have one.

cocothemonkey · Jan 12, 2006

Never seen any nurse where I work wear one in the OR. Grab one from anesthesia if for some reason you ever needed one.

SFCardiacRN · Jan 14, 2006

I've been in the OR for 20+ years and never needed one.

grimmy, RN · Jan 14, 2006

[color=darkslategray]i have one in my locker, but in all honesty, in the past 2 years i've been here, i have not used it once. a lot depends upon the place you'll be working and what your responsibilities will be. go from there.

NoCrumping · Jan 14, 2006

i have one in my locker, but in all honesty, in the past 2 years i've been here, i have not used it once. a lot depends upon the place you'll be working and what your responsibilities will be. go from there.

i actually have one of those big clunky sprague ones, from nsg school, but was wondering if i actually needed one on a daily basis..... i think i will get a cheapo basic one, to keep on hand....thanks again guys, i love having all of you as a resource!!!!!

(i only wish i knew about this site wehn i was in nsg school!!!!)

suzanne4, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Anesthesia is doing the assessing in the OR, and they always have one. No reason to have one in the OR for any other reason.

Pre-op and Post-op? Yes, they are needed there. But actual OR? No.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Well, yes and no.
Typically our circulators have one of the $14.99 ones around their neck, so in case a doc needs to do a quick assessment, they'll let them borrow their scopes for it. That's the only reason i've seen a nurse wear one in the OR where i work.
Pre-op and post-op, yes, you ought to have one.

My feeling on this? Doc should have done their assessment already, and if they have not, it is their responsiblity to find their own. History and Physical should have been on the chart and completed before going into the OR. That is policy at most facilites, and actually it is supposed to be all, per JCAHO.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

My feeling on this? Doc should have done their assessment already, and if they have not, it is their responsiblity to find their own. History and Physical should have been on the chart and completed before going into the OR. That is policy at most facilites, and actually it is supposed to be all, per JCAHO.

And i was refering to the times (few) when a pt. comes down and the H and P needs updated, not like it happens all the time. We are not violating JCAHO.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Again, that should be done before the patient actually enters the operating room...............what if the case needs to be cancelled then?

Once the patient enters the room, if the case needs to be cancelled for whatever reason, even if their cart just rolled in, the room needs to be entirely trashed. It is the doctors responsibility to make sure that everything is completed before, and before they leave the pre-op area.

It should not be done when the patient is already in the OR.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Marie,

Hope that you don't take my post as being curt, but if you notice that all of us "old" RNs in the OR do not ever use a stethescope there. It is a physician's responsibility to make sure that everything is done before the patient leaves the pre-op area, too late when they get to the room. Every facility that I have ever worked at, would not permit the patient to even be taken back until the update has also been taken care of. Too many what if's have happened in the past. And then the surgeon tries to pass it off on to the staff. Save your skin and neck, and don't do it.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Again, that should be done before the patient actually enters the operating room...............what if the case needs to be cancelled then?

It's not done IN the room, it is done outside of the room (at the holding area). Again, we're not violating our policy or JCAHO.