Roles That a Surgical Nurse Plays During Certain Procedures

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Surgical nurses are cream of the crop healthcare professionals. Since technology has been bursting through the healthcare industry with all kinds of new equipment, computer documentation, laser and robotic procedures have taken a high extensive toll on nursing. No longer does the nurse simply position and prep the patient, now the nurse has to be a computer specialist and technician as well.

Priority

Aeger Primo has for so long been the motto of nurses and surgical technologists who define “patient first” as an excellent creed by which to live and practice. However, modern day distractions for surgical nurses are leaving the patient without that quality of care of the good old days, say thirty years ago. The patient’s safety and wellbeing must always come first.

Computers

If preferring to stay connected with Medicare and Medicaid assignment, facilities must transition over to electronic medical records. Once the patient enters the operating room, data must be entered into these systems, so every occurrence is electronically documented. This now becomes the patient’s “chart.” This way, anyone who has a pass code for that particular computer system, with limited patient information, may have access to all of the patient’s information as needed. It seems the nurse often has his or her back to the patient in order to stay connected to this computer console, which holds the key to every particle of knowledge about the procedure. There is much less “hands-on” care for the patient in the operating room because of computers.

Technology

Breakthroughs in medical technology have also brought distraction along with many advantages. Although we know the robotic prostatectomy is by far better than opening the abdomen to perform this procedure, preparation for this surgery is demanding. Like all laparoscopic surgeries, robotic procedures require video towers, which must be strategically placed in the room, so the surgeon as well as the assistant may be able to visualize the procedure. Each tower also has a camera connection, light source connection, a printer, and two tanks of CO2 that are used to insufflate the abdomen. There may also be a smoke evacuator, depending on surgeon’s preference. An electro-cautery machine is used to ground the patient for electrical safety. The robot must be draped with a sterile drape and positioned, so it will not become contaminated when the crew comes in the room to gown and glove.

The surgical nurse is responsible for working closely with other operating room personnel to insure all of this technological equipment is prepared and in good working order before the patient comes into the room. He or she must be an expert with video equipment, electrical equipment, suction devices, lasers, computers, changing out gas tanks, autoclaves, and countless other machines that are used in the surgical settings.

Liaison

Communication is a key role in circulating an operating room. Surgical nurses also serve as liaison from department heads to personnel, sales reps for numerous products, and surgeons who are particular in every preference. The operating room should work like a well-oiled machine in order for excellent patient outcomes to occur.

Care Plans

Many other healthcare professionals believe that surgical nursing is a walk in the park, but it is probably one of the most stressful professions on the planet. Operating room nurses assess, diagnose, plan, intervene, and evaluate their patients just like any other nurse.