Perioperative 101 during covid

Ruzan · Mar 27, 2020

We are still making our way through the program, it has been rough since all elective surgeries have been canceled, but we have been able to get into cases to be able to see how they flow. it's been a challenge to try to focus on doing my modules during all of this, but the education department at my hospital is helping.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 27, 2020

We will still be completing modules and simulations. Extremely low volume of cases, so we are expecting to be extremely flexible with extending orientation periods to provide adequate experiences.

J.rizzled, RN · Apr 2, 2020

Hi Ruzan! I'm doing periop 101 as well at my job. It's been rough this week so far. Since we are only running 2-3 rooms there are limited cases so far. Us periops are often used to help clean and turn over rooms, stock inventory and pull cases for the next day since most of the "auxiliary" staff have had their hours cut.

It feels kind of bad not being able to learn about how to actually circulate a room as often as before but I feel like the experience having to sort of impromptu fill in for these other roles had allowed me to better understand how the OR works as a unit. Also, I think when I get to the point of being on call or doing night/weekend shifts that I will be able to be much more independent since I've learned where things are kept and how to do little things haha. I won't have to try to text someone to find out the code to the bio-hazard room if I have a full sharps container or how to quickly find the preference cards for an urgent case for a surgeon I've never worked with.

I do hope that even though we will probably have a lot more cases after all this is done that my director and educator is understanding and still will make sure we are fully trained and comfortable circulating. I only feel comfortable enough to help circulate and anticipate in basic general surgery cases. I've not been in very many other specialties and we normally do a lot of othro and neuro and I've not seen many of those cases. There's also gyn and cysto cases as well as a heart team and I have no idea what they are up to LOL

Ruzan · Apr 2, 2020

It's just such a weird time right now. I hope everybody on these boards stays safe, and good luck to my fellow periop 101 dudes ?

Silver_Rik, ASN, RN · Apr 4, 2020

On 3/27/2020 at 7:28 PM, Rose_Queen said:
We will still be completing modules and simulations. Extremely low volume of cases, so we are expecting to be extremely flexible with extending orientation periods to provide adequate experiences.

We are doing the same. The extension of the orientation periods makes sense, but I have a few questions to address to my nurse manager or training coordinator. We aren't allowed to use vacation time, and do not get shift differentials during orientation. I would like to know if those will still be in effect after the end of the 6 month initial orientation period.

With low case volume and lack of PPE we've been working on modules and WBTs along helping with other tasks (did visitor screening one day, PACU introduction another, and a day in PACU on another). I did get in the OR 2 days this past week and 1 day the week before (normally do 2-3 days a week).

Silver_Rik, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2020

After 4 days back in the OR we were told today that the Periop nurse interns are all being pulled out of the OR indefinitely. We will work on Periop 101 modules, hospital WBTs, etc for the next week or two, then have been told to expect reassignment to other units, probably med surg.

Shortage of PPE was cited, but there are some politics involved too.

tiggertiffany, ADN, RN · May 26, 2020

I’m hoping everything has improved as my Periop 101 will begin soon

Silver_Rik, ASN, RN · May 26, 2020

32 minutes ago, tiggertiffany said:
I’m hoping everything has improved as my Periop 101 will begin soon

We've been back in the OR since the first week of May