amusa

Hi everyone! I'm a new OR nurse and I would love advice on effective patient and team communication. I want to be an outstanding nurse and part of that is making patients feel cared for and working well with my team. When I interview my patients, I ask about allergies, last time they had anything to eat or drink, metal implants, confirm name and birth date, doctor and procedure, etc. I need advice on explaining things like why they have to wear a bouffant cap during surgery, why we put on SCDs, how to instruct them to move onto the OR bed (including reasoning for why I pull out their gown as they move to the OR bed), why we put their arms on armboards, and put on safety straps. I know why we do these things, but I want to explain it to the patient in the most clear, comforting, and easy to understand way. I want them to feel comfortable with the whole process leading up to intubation. Also any advice on things to say to lighten a patient's mood would be appreciated. As far as working with the OR team, I would like advice on what to say to the scrub tech, surgeon, and other team members. What do I say to let them know I am addressing their needs? For ex. If they ask for something during surgery, what do I say to let them know I heard them and will do it? What are important things to let the surgeon know? Ex. "Gas is on" for insufflation, "Bovey is set to 25, 20", etc. It may seem like I'm overthinking, but I really want to be the best circulator nurse and communication is a big part of that. For any responders, I think it would be helpful to put phrases you say to patients and team members in quotes so I can apply them in practice. Thank You! [h=2][/h]