Surgical Tech Duties

You hit the nail on the head when you asked about calling the surgeon or others out.

You can see how it might put you in a very difficult position. That is all I will say about that.

Hoot

I forgot about the needlesticks...I think that anytime you work with any type of medical instrument, you are at the same amount of risk, be it scaples, needles or whatever.

My other:twocents:

Hoot

The good thing is that usually when you point out a break in technique to surgeons or others, most are professional and want to do the best they can for that patient. In the OR, there is something called "surgical conscience". This means that if you contaminate something or make some other error, you need to 'fess up.

I was a tech for years and then became a nurse, and in that time and to this day, I've never been screamed at by a surgeon for pointing out that he/she has a hole in their glove or that they've contaminated something. Trust me, they don't want their patient to get an infection. Teamwork is very important in this area. You'll have help from the circulator too, because part of their job is to monitor sterility and advocate for the patient, which can mean speaking up. But that's a skill that can be learned.

As to the needlesticks, it can happen. But that's anywhere in healthcare. I actually think eyewear is more important(ie goggles) I've seen more people get squirted in the face with blood and other fluids than I've seen get needlesticks.

The good thing is that usually when you point out a break in technique to surgeons or others, most are professional and want to do the best they can for that patient. In the OR, there is something called "surgical conscience". This means that if you contaminate something or make some other error, you need to 'fess up.

I was a tech for years and then became a nurse, and in that time and to this day, I've never been screamed at by a surgeon for pointing out that he/she has a hole in their glove or that they've contaminated something. Trust me, they don't want their patient to get an infection. Teamwork is very important in this area. You'll have help from the circulator too, because part of their job is to monitor sterility and advocate for the patient, which can mean speaking up. But that's a skill that can be learned.

As to the needlesticks, it can happen. But that's anywhere in healthcare. I actually think eyewear is more important(ie goggles) I've seen more people get squirted in the face with blood and other fluids than I've seen get needlesticks.

Im with Witchy. Ive been a CST for 5 years and I have never been yelled at for pointing out to a Surgeon that he was contaminated. They are usually grateful and change gloves, gown, don a sleeve or whatever is needed to rectify the situation.

On the other hand, some of the ST students get snarky when you tell them they have contaminated themselves... I guess its embarassing for them.

Needlesticks are of course a problem since you are exposed to sharps all day long, but thats any job that exposed to sharps of any kind. Depending on your facility, they can use safety blades and safety needles. Also a "neutral zone" can be used. There are always facility specific policies and procedures. I have never been stuck with a needle in my 5 yrs and I hope to continue that trend.

WitchyRN,

You are lucky to have worked with such professionals. I, however worked with a couple ofdoctors (interns/residents) who threw total hissy fits when I pointed their breaks in the sterile field. One doc actually threw an instrument across the room. I was such a newbie in th OR that I about peed my pants. It's quite funny now that I think about it...imagining the incredulous look on his face...yeah, I bet he's a GREAT doc...

WitchyRN,

You are lucky to have worked with such professionals. I, however worked with a couple ofdoctors (interns/residents) who threw total hissy fits when I pointed their breaks in the sterile field. One doc actually threw an instrument across the room. I was such a newbie in th OR that I about peed my pants. It's quite funny now that I think about it...imagining the incredulous look on his face...yeah, I bet he's a GREAT doc...

:lol2: :lol2:

Eh, interns/residents don't count in my book-to me, they're not "real" surgeons yet. In my specialty, our residents are good eggs and if I ever got a resident or intern that was fighting me on the sterile thing, you can bet the attendings would set them straight. They take sterility very seriously in Ortho.

As far as the throwing instruments, that is absolutely never to be tolerated. Many places will write the doc up and it can be considered assault.

Eh, interns/residents don't count in my book-to me, they're not "real" surgeons yet. In my specialty, our residents are good eggs and if I ever got a resident or intern that was fighting me on the sterile thing, you can bet the attendings would set them straight. They take sterility very seriously in Ortho.

As far as the throwing instruments, that is absolutely never to be tolerated. Many places will write the doc up and it can be considered assault.

Well, this happened a long time ago, I'm sure that things are different now. I will say though, I do know that the OR is not for me, but I admire those who can do it. I intend to go into ER, ICU or Hospice when I'm done with NS. Polar ends of the spectrum, but I know that those are the areas where I belong.:)