NewNursy20

What procedures do your facilities omit instrument counts? I know counts are done for sharps and softs on all cases, and instrument counts vary. More specifically, what is your policy on procedures such as a radical orchiectomy inguinal approach? Inguinal hernia? Procedures where there may be a conflict of thought process.

When performing a minilaparotomy along with robot or laparoscopic assistance (such as when doing a colon resection or colostomy), are instruments to be counted out or not since it is only used to take the specimen out? Instruments would be counted in in this instance in case the surgery converted to open, but I would like to know what other facilities do in regards to instrument count out when closing the minilaparotomy incision. My preference is to count out.

Question: do your hospitals do full instrument counts for total lady partsl hysterectomies? Or do you only count sponges and sharps (needles, bovie tips, hypos, blades, etc.)? I've never done one and I've heard from people online that do it both ways. I can't find a specific definitive answer online, so if you have an article to go along with it that would be greatly appreciated. I just want to know what the standard practices are. Thanks!

Hi all, I'm a new OR circulating nurse in a small 4 room hospital. I come off of buddy call in April. I've been on buddy call for a few months, but we weren't ever called in very much. What are some tips and tricks you guys have to help with nerves and stress about huge emergency cases, or any cases in general? Any information would be greatly appreciated! ? P.S., I've done at least some of everything in general, gynecology, ortho, and urology.

Hi all, here's a question I've pondered for a couple of months that maybe one of you can help me out with. When a surgeon asks for Surgicel powder for a procedure, it does not count as an implant at my facility; however, if we use VistaSeal it does. What is the rationale for this? The only thing I can think of is that the VistaSeal is human tissue, but what makes Surgicel not count as an implant? Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I'm a new nurse working in the OR. It's my first job out of nursing school and I've been taking buddy call for a few months now. I'm just curious, how long were any of you on buddy call before you were released to be on your own? I can circulate most types of cases during the day, but I've yet to be released to call myself. Also: will I ever feel truly ready to be on call alone?