Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital

Surgery Techs Recognized in September

Surgical Technician Week
Celebrated

Sept. 21 - 27, 2003

In the hospital setting, surgery is always behind closed doors. The emphasis on creating the cleanest possible environment leads to surgical team members often dressing as though they plan on some major attack the rest of the building knows nothing about. In fact, that is true. In the nature of performing surgical procedures, surgery team members are exposed to multiple unknowns and unpredictable events. A sterile environment protects the team as well as the patients.

At the center of the surgical process is the surgical technologist. After intensive training in the vast array of surgical instruments, equipment, supplies and sterile technique, surgical technologists take that knowledge and apply it to a surgical procedure.

A routine surgical procedure is carefully recorded by individual surgeon preference for instruments, supplies, equipment, positioning and variables on what is called a “preference card.” While the procedure to be performed is basically straightforward, the surgeon may choose any number of ways to perform it. Then, using the preference card as a general guide, the surgical tech assembles all the listed items. This can involve cleaning, sterilizing, and many, many steps. Each tech realizes that the preference card is only a general guide and will try to gather additional information from the surgeon regarding any special needs for the specific patient or procedure. After all supplies are together, the tech will open the supplies in the surgical suite, creating and maintaining a sterile field.

A surgical scrub is then performed using germicidal agents and scrub brushes. Forearms dripping, the tech will enter the suite, hands elevated to prevent unsterile water from sliding down cleansed hands, then dry his or her hands, proceed to gown, glove and prepare “the back table” for the procedure, all the while maintaining the sterile field.

Instruments are sorted, removed from sterilization trays for use, with selected items placed on an elevated tray that fits over the surgical patient for easy access. Drapes are prepared, supplies are assembled and instruments are counted before surgery can commence. As the surgery begins, the technologist follows each move made by the surgeon, anticipating what will be needed so it is conveniently ready for use. Every surgical instrument (varieties which number in the thousands) is handled, prepared, assembled and placed in use by the technician. A professional tech follows every move the surgeon makes to ensure the right solutions and instruments are available and immediately placed in the surgeon’s hand, as needed. Long hours of standing make backs and legs ache, feet swell and stomachs rumble until the surgery is complete or someone relieves the tech. Once the procedure is finished, the tech must reassemble the trays, instruments, supplies and everything else for cleaning and processing so they can start all over again.

Kristina Winstead, Phil Paget, Nona Robinson and DJ McCoy comprise the surgical tech team at NNRH. All are bright, talented and eager to learn. Without complaint they perform their jobs and take call to provide healthcare service 24/7. I am proud to work with such a uniquely talented team of technicians and I take my hat off to each one of them.

Sue Lester, RN
Director of Surgical Services
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital

Click here for more information on the Surgery Department

Disclaimer and Use Agreement