anglgrl63

We write any instruments added to the field on the current instrument count sheets so when we go to count it is right there with the others we have to count :)

There is an AORN chapter in San Antonio Texas that has a lot of good info and they have a policy and procedure on their web site. I believe AORN is working on standards for this that will be coming out soon. I heard this am not certain this is true. In your address box put San Antonio AORN chapter If you can 't find it e-mail me and I will look it up for you.

When we have a patient die in the OR we call the medical examiner to have it declared a medical examiners case or be cleared. If the patient is cleared we take all the IV's and drains out and bandage the wounds. We also place a clean gown on the patient, and clean up any blood or prep solution (get the patient ready for viewing by their loved ones). If the medical examiner does not release the body we do everything else except we don't take out any of the lines. We will then move the patient over to the carrier and place a towel around the rectum so if there is any oozing it is taken care of. Sometimes we have to reinforce the IV sites with 4 x 4's if it was a heart patient and was heparinized there could be more than normal oozing. We then take the patient to an isolation room for the family to view the body and be secluded from other staff and visitors. We then take the patient to the morge when the family is finished. Sometimes we help out and call the funeral home. We try and call the chaplain when the patient codes so they can be with the family and a lot of times they will help a lot with communicating with the family, comforting them and helping with the funeral home. Hope this helps. Death in the OR probably is the most difficult part of the job.

If the case is delayed we try not to use it after one hour-two hours maximum. We lock the substerile door and tape the front door with writing saying "Do not enter!" or have someone in the room or just outside to monitor and make sure that no one messes with the room or goes in. If they case is going to be delayed too long we might try and use that room for another case that is similiar to the one that was opened and set up. :)

I am an OR educator and work closely with the new nurses whether they are brand new nurses or nurses that have decided to change areas. Not everyone is meant to be a preceptor. Sometimes I wonder if the nurses don't feel threatened. With the nursing shortage you would think they would welcome to staff with open arms and help get them trained and oriented but instead they chew them up and spit them out. Sometimes I think it is a test of trust and will they be able to handle the work and pressure. I think this will be an ongoing struggle and could be up to management to nip it in the bud and not let the staff be so mean. Some of the staff has gotten to where they don't want to train people because they figure they will leave shortly after they are trained to go onto greener pastures??????