Pre-Op Surgical Team Walk-Through's

[ctsurgeryscrubrn]

I scrub on a high-risk CT team (mainly high-risk and complex aortic procedures with pathology (Marfan, etc.) and re-do cases). Recently, our team started doing 20 - 30 min pre-op walk-through's whereas the entire team will get together and the surgeon or fellow will walk the entire team (PAs, RNs, CCPs, Anesthesia & CSTs) through the upcoming case. These cases usually are 8, 10, 12+ hours. As a scrub nurse, it's very helpful and really brings a sense of purpose and cohesion to all. I know it's unreasonable for this type of thing to be done on all services or before all cases, but was wondering if any of the O.R. nurses out there have ever participated on such pre-op sessions (?)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

In the cases that need it, such info is included in the booking comments which can be seen in the EMR by the circulator and anesthesia. It is also to be verbalized during the briefing that takes place prior to the time out.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

I agree with RoseQueen - our surgeons are (mostly) good about identifying specific needs at the time of scheduling a case.

We also talk about "critical steps" during time out. Though anesthesia will add some of their to pre-induction if there is something they feel is non-negotiable like placement of a central line.

When we've done cases we've (as an institution, as a team, etc., ) never done before our providers tend to tell us what is different from other procedures and walk us through that part.