When a patient is about to undergo a surgical procedure direct patient care will be pass on to the operating room personnel. The operating room [OR] team is responsible for the well-being of a patient throughout the operation. This team should not only consider the patient’s privacy but will also promote safety measures for the patient. One way of promoting safety of patients inside the OR is by preventing infection from the surgical incision that will be done.
As described, the OR team is similar to that of a symphony orchestra. There are many members in an orchestra but they work together in unison and harmony to create a superb outcome. The operating room [OR] team does the same thing. They coordinate their work with each other to have a successful operation.
Classification of OR team
There are two types of OR team according to the functions of its members.
- Sterile team members
- Surgeon
- Assistants to the surgeon
- Scrub person [either a registered nurse or surgical technologist]
- Unsterile team members
- Anesthesiologist
- Circulator
- Biomedical technicians, radiology technicians or other staff that might be needed to set up and operate specialized equipment or devices essential in monitoring the patient during a surgical operation
Operating Room Team: Sterile Personnel
The members of the OR sterile team will do the following things:
- Perform surgical hand washing [arms are included].
- Don sterile gowns and gloves.
- Enter the sterile field.
- Handles sterile items only.
- Functions only within a limited area [sterile field].
- Wear mask.
Operating Surgeon
The surgeon is a licensed physician [MD], osteopath [DO], oral surgeon [DDS or DMD], or podiatrist [DPM]. This professional is especially trained and is qualified by knowledge and experience for the performance of a surgical operation.
Responsibilities of a surgeon:
- Preoperative diagnosis and care of the patient
- Performance of the surgical procedure
- Postoperative management of care
Assistants to surgeon
During a surgical procedure, the operating surgeon can have one or two assistants to perform specific tasks under his/her [operating surgeon] direction. The responsibilities of a surgeon’s assistant:
- Help maintain the visibility of the surgical site
- Control bleeding
- Close wounds
- Apply dressings
- Handles tissues
- Uses instruments
Types of Assistants to Surgeon:
- First Assistants could either be:
- A qualified surgeon or resident in an accredited surgical education program. The first assistant should be capable of assuming the operating surgeon’s responsibility in cases of incapacitation or accidents.
- Registered Nurse and surgical technologists that have a written hospital policy permitting the action.
- Second Assistant could be a registered nurse or surgical technologist. These staff should be trained and they mar retract tissues and suction body fluids to help provide exposure of the surgical site.
Scrub Person
A scrub person could be the following:
- Registered Nurse
- Surgical technologist
- Licensed practical/vocational nurse
The responsibility of a scrub person is to maintain the integrity, safety and efficiency of the sterile field throughout the surgical procedure.
image from merckmanuals.com
Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator [Level II], caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
What Do You Think?
When you have surgery, a
team of medical staff helps the surgeon during the operation. Who is on the team depends on the type of surgery. Most teams include the following professionals.
Surgeon
A surgeon has finished 4 years of medical school and 4 or more years of special training after medical school. Most surgeons have passed exams for board certification. The American Board of Surgery is the national group that gives this certification for general surgery in the U.S. Some surgeons also have the letters FACS after their name. This means they have approval of the Fellows of the American College of Surgeons [FACS].
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist has finished 4 years of medical school and 4 years of special training in anesthesia. Anesthesiologists may get additional training in certain surgery specialties. This might be neurosurgical anesthesia or cardiac anesthesia. The anesthesiologist takes part in all 3 phases of surgery: before, during, and after.
Certified registered nurse anesthetist [CRNA]
The nurse anesthetist gives you anesthesia care before, during, and after surgery or labor and delivery. The nurse constantly watches every important function of your body. He or she can change the anesthesia medicine to make sure you are safe and comfortable. A nurse anesthetist has a bachelor's degree in nursing and at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in a critical-care setting. He or she also has at least a master's degree from a nurse anesthetist program. Nurse anesthetists must pass a national certification exam to become CRNAs.
Operating room nurse or circulating nurse
Registered nurses are registered and licensed by each state to care for patients. Some nurses focus on a certain field such as surgery. The operating room nurse helps the surgeon during surgery. Operating room nurses are certified in various areas of surgery. Nurses must pass an exam to be certified.
Surgical tech
Surgical techs assist with the surgery by setting up a sterile operating room. They get supplies and surgery tools ready. And they hand the surgeon the tools he or she asks for. They must pass an exam to be certified by the National Board of Surgical Assisting [NBSTA].
Residents or medical students
In many teaching hospitals, resident doctors in training and medical students may be a part of the surgical team.
Physician assistant
Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. They may act as an assistant to the surgeon. Or they may close incisions with stitches [sutures] or staples.
Medical device company representative
Sometimes surgeons will have a representative from a company that makes medical equipment in the operating room. Such equipment might be artificial joints, spine stabilizers, or pacemakers. The representative can help the surgeon with sizing and function of the equipment.