Staffing in Total Joint Cases

grimmy, RN · Nov 29, 2005

for 99% of our total joint cases we have 1 circ, 1 scrub, 1 attending, and typically 2-3 surgical residents. there's almost always a rep from the implant company, and an x-ray tech. oh, and we have a pct available for positioning assistance, etc. i work in a non-urban academic level i trauma center. why do you ask?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 29, 2005

I do my total joints the same way as above, they do not get any more staffing than our other cases. Just usually more residents.

The rep is usually quite helpful, most have years of scrub experience, etc. The biggest issue is with knowing which piece of implant comes next, and they take care of that.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 29, 2005

Depending on the joint getting replaced:

1 circulator

2-3 scrubs

1 surgeon

1-2 anesthesiologists (depends on the intubation difficulty)

1 rep from Depuy or Zimmer

No PCA, since all the surgeons are anal about "unnecessary people in the room"

shodobe · Nov 30, 2005

A circulator and a scrub. Sometimes we use what we call a Ortho Tech to help or sometimes another scrub nurse. Always has been a problem. I have done them with me and just the surgeon, go figure!

magsk · Nov 30, 2005

Hi Grimmy,

I was asking because I did not do total joints where I worked before & the number performed here is increasing - the need is for 2-3 scrubs depending on whether a surgeon assist is available and I need to be sure our staffing plan supports that.

Thanks for your response!

mags

sweet31eve · Dec 1, 2005

I work in a community hospital and typically we have 2 ortho surgeons, a scrub tech, an extra scrub to "hold the leg", a circulator, an anesthetist, and a sales rep. And in our facility techs are not allowed to break scrub at all during the case. Which is frustrating because our ortho guys are ALWAYS late from office and we are working way past our shift. But that is a whole new thread!

JennKoly · Dec 22, 2005

1 scrub, 1 circulator, 1 orthopod, ? Rep if available

cocothemonkey · Dec 22, 2005

1- orthopod

1- PA or SA

1- circulator

2- scrubs (one holds retractors)

ORSmurf · Dec 22, 2005

One Orhopod, one assistant, one scrub and one circulator. If you're lucky, a second circulator will help gather equipment and help you set up the room in the morning, but don't always count on it!

mcmike55 · Dec 26, 2005

I work in a small rural community hospital.

For totals:

1 anes doc

1 circulator

2 scrub techs

One ortho doc works alone so that adds work for the techs, the other doc has one of his office nurses, who is a trained ortho/scrub.

There will also be a rep. from the company that we are using, usually Zimmer or Depuy.

Occasionally, we have a student nurse or student physical therapy person observing.

The general rule, once in the room, you stay. Especially for the scubs techs.

Mike

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 26, 2005

I forgot to add, absolutely no students are allowed to observe in the room. They can watch from the window, but they can't see from there really.