Reflective Essay-Day Surgery Experience

Upon observation of the circulating nurse, I noticed that she was very interactive and involved in the surgery. One of the responsibilities of the circulating nurse is to retrieve any surgical supplies that are not available in the operating room and to make or receive any calls for the surgeon. During the surgery, I noticed the nurse call for an x-ray for the surgeon, the laboratory for biopsy samples, and the operating room floor front desk to inform them that the surgery would be later than expected. This is her responsibility as the surgeon cannot break sterility by touching the phone and it is easier for him to communicate through her and not leave the surgical site. Also in the operating room, I observed the scrub nurses’ roles. Before the operation, the scrub nurse opened all of the sterile packages, arranged them on the sterile field, and took count of what was there along with the circulating nurse. The scrub nurse did this because she is sterile during the entire procedure, and once the sterile packs are opened, the contents can only be handled by sterile personnel. The scrub nurse also was ready and waiting at the sterile field at all times to get the surgeon any equipment needed from the sterile field. This is helpful to the surgeon because it enables the surgeon to stay at the surgical site and convenient for when

You are responsible for making sure the operating room is set up the way the surgeon likes and needs it to be. You are also responsible for making sure that all the tools, operating table, and every inch of the room is cleaned and sterilized. Surgical technicians are the ones who keep track of “lap pads” or laparotomy pads used during surgery to soak up excess fluid in the patient. So, everything must be accounted for before, during and after surgery. They are also the people who hand the surgeons the tools they call out. With all responsibility, you have to know how to think for yourself if something were to happen and the surgeon takes a second to think during a tricky or time consuming surgery. For example, if a lap pad were to go missing, the surgical technician will be the one who is asked about it, and needed to recall the location of pad. Or the surgical technician has to make sure enough tools are at hand in the operating room readily available in case the team happens to run out. The job is very simple. Clean and move the room according to surgery and surgeon, keep track of everything, and hand the right tools when called out quickly. Seems simple. Which is why there is more than one surgical technician in the operating room. Natalie explained that she is ready and looking forward to the high stress environment that comes along with the job.

During procedure nurse is usually passing instruments, making sure equipment is set up and ready to go, assisting with taking radiographs, taking care about patient’s escort during taking radiographs, making sure patient is comfortable and calm, processing x-rays, also working length have to be recorded in the patient notes either paper or digital or both

As part of my clinical experience at St. Joseph unit, I had an opportunity to work with my classmate, Kingly and Dat. Dat was a very kind and efficient nursing assistant and I felt fortunate to have had the chance to work with and learn from him. Our day together seemed as though it was typical for the residence. The first resident was Ms. Nancy; she is in room no. 220A. My duty gave her breakfast and feed her in morning. Upon waking Ms. Nancy I respected her privacy by always knocking before I entered the room and asking permission to enter. I have introduced myself and followed standard precaution by washing my hands before start any procedures. I tried to talk to her while I was feeding her. I tried to wake her up before the breakfast is over. She only ate 35% of her meal. Then, Dat showed me how to use a full sling mechanical lift to move Ms. Nancy to shower chair and show me how to use shower chair while showering Ms. Nancy. After finishing

The role of the nurse anesthetist gradually developed as the demand increased for individuals who were highly and meticulously trained in anesthesia administration in an era where knowledge of germs, antisepsis and surgical interventions was emerging. During the 1800s, medical students were often responsible in the administration of anesthesia under the direct supervision of surgeons but the increased mortality rates in intraoperative patients suggested the need to reevaluate who would provide anesthesia. As a result of negative patient outcomes, surgeons turned to nurses, who served to be an adequate and reliable replacement. This trend proved to be catalytic in the movement of the nurse anesthetist.

Second, the nurse commences assessment with an evaluation of patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation for any signs of inadequate oxygenation and ventilation. One of the patients’ temperature was 102 F and the physician recommended pain medication (dilaudid) and it was administered instantly. The nurse gets vital signs and compare the result with intraoperative care. The nurse chart vital signs every 5 mins for the next 15mins, every 15mins for the next hour depending on the recovery state of the patient. I also noticed that for diabetic patients, the nurse checks for blood glucose and also compare result with intraoperative care unit result. Third, the nurse assess pain although the patients receive pain medication before surgery. Fourth, the nurse assess surgical site (dressings and drainage). Fifth, the nurse assess neurologic (level of consciousness, orientation, sensory & motor status, pupil size and reaction. Finally, the nurse assess gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, intake of

During my observation, I followed the patient from her preparation of surgery, into the operating room, to recovery. I gain insight on what happens during surgeries from nurses, surgeons, and other hospital staff. This experience was much different than any other clinical I have gone to. After having first-hand experience, I now know that surgery is nothing like what is portrayed on television.

It's important for them to know the patient's medications, allergies, or diseases so drugs can be administered properly. Anesthesia can be given to a certain location to numb only one part of the body, or general anesthesia can be given so they are numb for the entire surgery. Nurse anesthetists provide 34 million anesthetics annually in the United States ("Nurse Anesthetist" Career Articles). The CRNA stays in the operating room the entire procedure, making sure vital signs are stable and changing the amount of anesthesia as necessary ("Nurse Anesthetist" Occupational). Some CRNAs work 40-hour weeks, and some work weekends or nights. Nurse anesthetists spend all of their time at work on their feet, so it's important to know how to adjust to that ("Nurse Anesthetist" Career Cruising). Nurses have to maintain focus for a long time to ensure they are administering the right amount of anesthesia ("Nurse Anesthetist" Career Articles). It's also necessary for CRNAs to have empathy to make sure their patient is comfortable. All nurses at any level should promote interpersonal

Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 160,000 perioperative nurses by providing nursing education, standards, and clinical practice resources-including the peer-reviewed, monthly publication-AORN Journal-to enable optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures (ARON, 2015). The AORN organization focuses on best practice standards for quality patient care in the operating room. The OR setting is a fast pace environment that requires nurses to keep up on the latest technology, medicine, and positioning devices for the surgical patient. Nurses are advocates for patients during their surgical procedure to ensure safe and quality care. Our mission is to promote safety and optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures by providing practice support and professional development opportunities to perioperative nurses (AORN, 2015).

Ensures safe nursing care for the perioperative patient, including implementation and documentation of safe patient position, adapts care for special needs patients, performs routine nursing procedures including starting an IV and Foley catheterization, and assesses patient condition throughout the perioperative period.

“At first I didn’t think it was that serious, I thought the BB pellet had just irritated my eye,” Matthew said.

B. Memorable Close: Operating Room Nurses and Scrub Technologist put the patient safety first. They are an important part of the surgical team and account for the items the surgeon uses during surgery. If you or a loved one has to have surgery, I hope you are comforted by

A surgical nurse is responsible for monitoring and ensuring quality healthcare for a patient following surgery. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation are inherent in the post operative nurse’s role with the aim of a successful recovery for the patient. The appropriate provision of care is integral for prevention of complications that can arise from the anaesthesia or the surgical procedure. Whilst complications are common at least half of all complications are preventable (Haynes et al., 2009). The foundations of Mrs Hilton’s nursing plan are to ensure that any post surgery complications are circumvented. My role as Mrs Hilton’s surgical nurse will involve coupling my knowledge and the professional

Gilmartin, J. (2003). Day surgery: Patients’ perceptions of a nurse-led preadmission clinic. Journal of Clinical Nursing 13, 243-250.

In the surgery department, I work as a circulator, scrub nurse, and a charge nurse. Using these different approaches, ideals, and standards of care are often needed and applied to my assessments. Being compassionate, respectful and honest to patients is a required principle our hospital expects in caring for each