If you are scrubbed in....

ORSmurf · Jul 8, 2007

I'm about to start ST school, and I've got some real newbie-type questions. I want to have a little insight before I start, and I think I might feel silly asking some of these questions in class.
If you are scrubbed in....
1. What do you do if you have to pee? Is it just sorry, you're outta luck, hold it?
2. What do you do if you have to sneeze? I know you cannot touch your mask...do you just live with bogies in your mask until you can break?
3. What happens if you or the surgeon etc. drops an instrument? Do you keep doubles of everything on the back table?
4. Say I'm holding a retractor or something, and I somehow accidentally contaminate myself. I have read that I have to back away immediately to reglove etc. What if there's not another sterile person available to hold that retractor?
5. How long does it take to learn all the surgeons' preferences, and names of the instruments? (I plan to go to a big university/level 1 trauma type hospital)
I've been trying to learn as much as I can about this job and everything I learn raises another batch of questions! I really do not want to be one of those clueless newbies that annoy the heck out of everyone. Thanks for any answers you can share!

I was a LVN/Scrub for about 8 years and can tell you how it was at the facility where I worked:

1. I always went pee immediately before the case began (sort of like on a road trip as a kid). This was always a tough one for me. Hold it as long as you can, but if you absolutely can't wait, sometimes you can get someone to scrub you out - it all depends on the time of day and if there is anyone else around.

2. You got this one right. Try to stifle the sneeze so you don't have to live with the germs in your mask. If you do sneeze, of course you can change masks at the first possible moment.

3. Many basic trays have multiples (kelly's, mayo's, etc.), but some things are done up separately, too. If you need another of whatever was dropped, you can ask you circulator to get one if it's up separately, or they may have to wash and flash the item if it's the only one (such as a special inst. from a total tray).

4. If you become contaminated or break a glove, whatever, speak up immediately! They can wait for you to re-glove or whatever. If an insturment is contamited, get it off the field right away. If it's a critical moment, try to use the one hand that is still sterile to hold the retractor or whatever you are doing, then change gloves as soon as possible.

5. I think they told me it would take 1-2 years to really learn everything. Each time I learned a specialty, I thought I was set and knew it all, then I went to another specialty and had to start all over again. Learing everything did take over a year, I think. General, ortho, gyn, eyes, ENT, etc.... they each are so different! It may not take you nearly as long though, that was just me. Even when you've been there several years, it seems the learning never ends. There's always new equipment, new procedures to learn. That's what keeps it interresting too.

Congratulations and best of luck. Be good to yourself - it is a lot to learn, and it sounds like you'll be great.

Christine

coadestone · Jul 8, 2007

ORSMURF,

I am getting ready to start LPN school in March; Really want to

get into the OR someday. Were you an LVN working in the OR

or a scrub tech? I'm just curious because I really don't know

if I should go the LPN route or the Surg Tech route. The school

I will be going to offers both programs; and I'm not sure if LPN's in Florida can work in the OR.

Any Advice?

ORSmurf · Jul 8, 2007

ORSMURF,
I am getting ready to start LPN school in March; Really want to
get into the OR someday. Were you an LVN working in the OR
or a scrub tech? I'm just curious because I really don't know
if I should go the LPN route or the Surg Tech route. The school
I will be going to offers both programs; and I'm not sure if LPN's in Florida can work in the OR.
Any Advice?

I was fortunate to get hired into the OR and they trained me to scrub. I had been working at that hospital for a couple of years already within the "surgical services" department, so I just transfered into the OR after graduating from the LVN program. You could check with the hospital where you want to work and find out if they would do something like that for you. I knew I wanted to eventually go on for the RN, so that's why I chose the LVN route. It's up to you and your future goals in chosing the route best for you.

Good luck :)

HeatherB,CST · Jul 9, 2007

ORSmurf,

Thanks for your thorough answers and the vote of confidence!

Heather

ORSmurf · Jul 9, 2007

ORSmurf,
Thanks for your thorough answers and the vote of confidence!
Heather

You're welcome!

Crux1024 · Jul 9, 2007

I was a LVN/Scrub for about 8 years and can tell you how it was at the facility where I worked:
1. I always went pee immediately before the case began (sort of like on a road trip as a kid). This was always a tough one for me. Hold it as long as you can, but if you absolutely can't wait, sometimes you can get someone to scrub you out - it all depends on the time of day and if there is anyone else around.
2. You got this one right. Try to stifle the sneeze so you don't have to live with the germs in your mask. If you do sneeze, of course you can change masks at the first possible moment.
3. Many basic trays have multiples (kelly's, mayo's, etc.), but some things are done up separately, too. If you need another of whatever was dropped, you can ask you circulator to get one if it's up separately, or they may have to wash and flash the item if it's the only one (such as a special inst. from a total tray).
4. If you become contaminated or break a glove, whatever, speak up immediately! They can wait for you to re-glove or whatever. If an insturment is contamited, get it off the field right away. If it's a critical moment, try to use the one hand that is still sterile to hold the retractor or whatever you are doing, then change gloves as soon as possible.
5. I think they told me it would take 1-2 years to really learn everything. Each time I learned a specialty, I thought I was set and knew it all, then I went to another specialty and had to start all over again. Learing everything did take over a year, I think. General, ortho, gyn, eyes, ENT, etc.... they each are so different! It may not take you nearly as long though, that was just me. Even when you've been there several years, it seems the learning never ends. There's always new equipment, new procedures to learn. That's what keeps it interresting too.
Congratulations and best of luck. Be good to yourself - it is a lot to learn, and it sounds like you'll be great.
Christine

Wonderful Post!!! This should be a sticky...:) :balloons: