What Not to forget in the sterile field - Mindey's version

Yes, you need to know what surgery you have, make sure your goggles are on, shoe covers, etc. I'm talking about the stuff you may not really think about. Things I've heard from classmates or stories my preceptors have told me. The following are my top 5!

1) You do NOT know! In fact, you don't know it at all. If you did, you wouldn't be a student, right? DO NOT let these haunting words (...oh, I know) slip out of your mouth! (if it does, recuperate at all costs)

2) Have a list of questions you have already written down for the doctor (They like it when they get good questions and might open up better for you.)

I typically ask:

                        What was this patient's diagnosis?

                        How long is recovery after the procedure? Etc.

3) READ the BOARD. This might sound unnecessary to tell you, but when you scrub and put two pairs of latex gloves and open instruments and have everything ready in a neat pile, JUST TO KNOW YOUR PATIENT HAS A LATEX ALLERGY! YUP! That whole setup and instruments you laid out is aallllll to waste. And yes, you will feel 2 feet tall when you tell your doctor.

4) Be EXTRA EXTRA careful with sharps. Last thing on your mind. Passing suture, cutting suture, and counting with the circulator, it can make you work up a sweat. PLEASE be EXTRA careful with this. You might think, "that will never happen to me." Think again. And the process that comes with it, lets just say SLOW DOWN when you're anywhere near sharps. EYE contact with your sharps when you're around them. And be afraid of them. YOU HAVE THE CONTROL, take it!

5) INTRODUCE YOURSELF ESPECIALLY to the surgeon. Yes, I know it's intimidating and YES I know they may forget your name the same second you tell them, and they may also look at you as if "ain't nobody go time for that", but it is a MUST. And hey, you have the mask on when you take it off its like you have an alter ego. They wont ever know who you are if you make a mistake.

Don't forget to SPEAK UP! This is what I say out loud to the doctor in one breath -- "Good morning Dr. ___ my name is _____ and i'm the surgical tech student for this case, I hope that's alright."

Disclaimer - these are my opinions and advice as a student in the Surgical Tech world. Always follow hospital policy where ever you may go! :)

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Thank you all for your amazingly good feed back! Hope this helps!

Good luck!

xx, Mindey
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