Etiquette in the OR

alet3ff · Nov 10, 2002

Sorry ageless, I was trying to be funny with your information.

snip...

Make sure you don your PPEs correctly (too many worry about personal appearance instead)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 11, 2002

Bring food...but not into the OR.

sunnygirl272 · Nov 12, 2002

Originally posted by canoehead
Bring food...but not into the OR.

unless f course, it's Junior Mints...they apparently can double as an antibiotic when tossed accidentally into an open abdomen....

spineCNOR · Nov 12, 2002

Be sure to identify yourself to the circulating nurse in the room - ask who the circulator is- and ask her where she wants you to stand, etc.

Don't walk between sterile fields-- i.e. don't walk between 2 blue areas.

almostanurse · Nov 12, 2002

what is ppe, and what is ed?

almostanurse · Nov 12, 2002

oh yeah, how did it go?

TracyB,RN, RN · Nov 12, 2002

PPE = personal protective equipment.

ed= a guy's name (hee hee) or the emergency department.

I third "don't touch ANYTHING blue."

I am LMAO about trying shake a freshly scrubbed surgeon's hands. I have seen that one too many times to count.

The ortho instruments are definitely all in a world their own. Cool stuff.

Anyway, if you feel faint & can't get to the door, lean your back against the wall, as you slide yourself down to the floor.

And definitely eat breakfast.

Enjoy the day:)

emily_mom · Nov 12, 2002

Eat something that will stick with you (like oatmeal, that stuff never goes away). It will be a long day if you don't...

joannep · Nov 12, 2002

It would be a nice touch to have something small, such as gift candy, you could give the or nurses as a thank you for their time when you have finished for the day. As an or nurse you never, ever get candy. As an afterthought, if you have a shit day, you'll have the candy ready for yourself as a comfort food!

Joanne

Agnus · Nov 12, 2002

As a student. I asked to circulating nurse where she wanted me to stand. I touched NOTHING unless told to. If invited to come closer to the table I ASKED exactly were and did not lean over the field (Heck I'd probably fall into it) In some cases I had a foot stool to stand on. Even when I was standing back from the table. This helped visualization. But ask for the foot stool BEFORE the patient was in the room.

Never turn your back towards anything setrile. Follow instructions and you'll be fine.

As for food. I am amaized. It seemed like the OR always was a place where there was great food. Don't know maybe I hit it on party days or something but it seemed like they always had more and better food (brought in by a docs,grateful patients, a sales rep or someone) than any other department

mattsmom81 · Nov 12, 2002

Many surgeons I know prefer students stand on a footstool behind them and can watch over their shoulders....that way they're in nobody's way and can't get into the sterile field areas...you'll just have to see what he/she prefers:)

Just ask the nurses at the get go what and what not to do and you'll be fine...you're in their turf and they won't be shy about directing you. I learned as a new observing student to stand with my hands folded to avoid the urge to touch something...LOL!

(One of my classmates contaminated the field and she never heard the end of it...so the rest of us learned fast)

'Course when I started scrubbing that didn't work anymore...had to develop the 'sterile conscience' while moving about and working in the suite.

Also found out fairly fast that OR was NOT my cup of tea. To each his own. :)

Have fun and don't be too surprised if you hear some ...er...unusual conversations in the OR. Some surgeons tend to be quite vocal and loud...while others will be quiet and serious....some may even quiz the student on A and P.

Enjoy your day! :)

portland_guy · Nov 12, 2002

I am wondering.....some people mentioned people fainting in the OR....do tell stories! I would love to read 'em!