The Vital Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room
The operating room (OR)
The operating room (OR) is a highly specialized environment where patients undergo surgical procedures. A surgical team consisting of a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a scrub nurse, and a circulating nurse works together in the OR to ensure the success of the surgery. The circulating nurse, also known as the perioperative nurse, plays a vital role in the OR by ensuring patient safety, maintaining a sterile environment, and assisting the surgical team. In this article, we will explore the role of the circulating nurse in detail.
Background -Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room
The role of the circulating nurse in the OR has evolved over the years. In the past, the circulating nurse was primarily responsible for fetching supplies and equipment for the surgical team. However, with advancements in surgical technology and techniques, the role of the circulating nurse has become more complex. Today, the circulating nurse is a key member of the surgical team, responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient, maintaining a sterile environment, and providing assistance to the surgical team.
Responsibilities of the Circulating Nurse in the Operating Room
Responsibilities and Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room is:
- Preoperative Patient Care
The circulating nurse plays a crucial role in preparing the patient for surgery. They greet the patient and their family, verify their identity, and assess their health status. The circulating nurse is responsible for ensuring that the patient has given informed consent for the surgery and that all necessary preoperative tests have been completed. They also ensure that the patient has followed the preoperative instructions given by the surgeon, such as fasting or medication adjustments.
- Intraoperative Patient Care
During surgery, the circulating nurse is responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient. They monitor the patient’s vital signs, ensure that the patient is positioned correctly on the operating table, and provide blankets or other items to keep the patient warm. They also ensure that the patient is properly draped to maintain a sterile field.
The circulating nurse is responsible for maintaining the sterile environment in the OR. They ensure that all equipment and supplies used during the surgery are sterile and that the surgical team follows proper hand hygiene and surgical asepsis techniques. They also monitor the traffic in and out of the OR to ensure that only authorized personnel enter the room.
- Assistance to the Surgical Team
The circulating nurse is a vital assistant to the surgical team. They fetch supplies and equipment as needed, such as surgical instruments, sutures, and sterile drapes. They also assist with positioning the patient, moving equipment, and adjusting the lighting. The circulating nurse communicates with the surgical team throughout the procedure, ensuring that all necessary equipment and supplies are available and that the team has what they need to complete the surgery safely and efficiently.
- Postoperative Patient Care
After the surgery is complete, the circulating nurse is responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient as they recover from anesthesia. They monitor the patient’s vital signs, administer medications as ordered by the anesthesiologist or surgeon, and assess the patient’s pain level. They also ensure that the patient is stable enough to be transferred to the recovery room.
Conclusion -Responsibilities and Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room
Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room – The circulating nurse plays a vital role in the OR, ensuring patient safety, maintaining a sterile environment, and assisting the surgical team. Their responsibilities include preoperative patient care, intraoperative patient care, assistance to the surgical team, and postoperative patient care. The circulating nurse is a key member of the surgical team, working alongside the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and scrub nurse to ensure the success of the surgery. Without the circulating nurse, the surgical team would not be able to provide safe and effective care to their patients.
