operating room preps

[nursemenow224]

Is there anyone who knows of a book or policy that will show new and old nursing graduates the correct procedure to "prep" patients in the operating room? IE: the correct way to prep a lady partsl procedure, or an abdominal/lady partsl prep. I have been chosen by our facility to put together a policy on prepping, including pictures on the correct process of prepping. I have determined there are no policies or pictures to be found. help please

[suzanne4, RN]

Each hospital has its own policy. Try looking at some surgical nursing textbooks or at AORN's website. Remember when doing a prep, you always work from clean to dirty. For the abd/ vag cases, the abd would be prepped first, then the lady parts. Preps also depend on the specific kits that your hospital uses and what thye contain.

Are you currently working in the OR or just designing the policies. Doesn't your hospital have a nurse educator for the OR?

[nursemenow224]

Each hospital has its own policy. Try looking at some surgical nursing textbooks or at AORN's website. Remember when doing a prep, you always work from clean to dirty. For the abd/ vag cases, the abd would be prepped first, then the lady parts. Preps also depend on the specific kits that your hospital uses and what thye contain.

Are yoyu currently working in the OR or judt designing the policies. Doesn't your hospital have a nurse educator for the OR?

that is the problem, we don't have a written policy. yes i am currently working in the OR and the educator is also trying to find information on this. have contacted AORN and have asked them as well. we need this policy in writing and pictures as well for new and old nurses. there seems to be many discussions on this. i do know the clean to dirty, but am at a dead end as to where i can research this. thank u for your help

[joannep]

Have you posted this question on the OR board? They may be able to help regarding an appropriate text.

Joanne

[chartleypj]

The Association of Operating Room Nurses has a great website; they also publish a book every year with Standards and Reconmmended Practices for Perioperative nursing. Your hospital library may have a copy. You can also order it at http://www.AORN.org

Good luck,

Paula

[nursemenow224]

Have you posted this question on the OR board? They may be able to help regarding an appropriate text.

Joanne

thanks for the replay joanne, but i have posted this on the OR board. no replies yes. it is amazing, but i am beginning to think there are no protocols written. i am still searching, so if u find anything, please let me know. thank you so much. karen

[ONEBADORT]

Hey Id Like To Know Who Does The Prep In The Or, Sterile Or Unsterile Personnel, This Has Become An Issue At My Hosp And Was Brought Up At The Latest Ast Meeting. Thanks For Any Input. Jen

[nursemenow224]

the circulating nurse does the preps for surgery. we don sterile gloves and prep in a sterile fashion. i hope this answers your question. karen

[dlinker]

here's the question-at your facility, what is the procedure for lady partsl preps? Thighs inward to lady parts or lady parts outwards to thighs--depending on the service GU vs. GYN, the docs employ these two directions-it would be nice to hear a collective perspective on this consideration-

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We use two prep setups if there is an abdominal incision. One for abdominal, the second for perineal. With the perineal prep, everything is separate prep sponges- one thigh, other thigh, perineum, lady parts.