Final Draft 10-18-96
Revised February 1997
Narrative
THE SURGICAL TEAM
nurse also acts as the "non sterile" hands of
Surgeons
the surgeons and scrub nurse, placing films
The surgical team leader is the surgeon who
in the x-ray view box, bringing into the
is performing the operation. Assisting the
operating room other required supplies,
surgeon in major operations are one or more
instruments and equipment, maintaining
assistants, or other staff surgeons. Usually,
surgical records in the operating room, etc.
the maximum number of surgeons and / or
Although, the surgeon performing the
assistants is four, two on each side of the
operating has the ultimate responsibility for
operating room table.
the care of the patient in the operating room,
it is the circulating nurse who monitors traffic
Anesthesia Staff
within the OR and observes all staff in the OR
Anesthesia is administered by the anesthesia
to be certain that the sterile field is
staff which includes anesthesiologists and
appropriately maintained.
certified registered nurses anesthetists
(CRNAs).
Whenever it is necessary to either take an x-
ray or use fluoroscopic technique for
One or more staff may be assigned to the
performing a certain procedure, an x-ray is
operating room. It is the responsibility of the
taken, the x-rays are developed by the
anesthesia staff to administer the anesthetic
radiology technician in a darkroom installed
agent, monitor the patient's vital signs, and
within the surgical suite. The resulting film
remain with the patient during the entire
may be interpreted by the surgeon performing
surgical procedure. After surgery, the patient
the procedure.
is moved to the post anesthesia recovery
room (PAR). The patient remains under the
Orderly
care of the anesthesia staff until completely
The orderly usually is responsible for
recovered from the anesthetic.
transporting patients to the operating room
Nursing Staff
and transferring the patient from the stretcher
to the operating room table.
Surgical procedure performed in the
operating room is staffed by at least two
Head Nurse
nurses, a scrub nurse and a circulating
nurse. The scrub nurse, together with the
The head nurse is charged with supervising
first assistant to the surgeon, is the main
all activities that occur within the operating
support person for the operating surgeon.
room. The head nurse is available also to
This nurse is responsible for the sterile
replace a circulating nurse or during long
operations to replace the scrub nurse while
supplies and instruments and for handing
that nurse takes a break. The office of the
them to the surgeon.
head nurse is located within the clean core
The circulating nurse does not function within
area.
the sterile field. This nurse performs all other
required tasks outside the sterile field. This
VA DESIGN GUIDE
AMBULATORY SURGERY
PAGE 2- 3
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