OPERATING ROOM (OR) STUDY GUIDE ASSURED SUCCEED
Patients undergoing surgery will be taken care of by the operating room team. The
safety and privacy of patients in the OR are safeguarded by the operating room
team members. Personnel inside the OR consist of the operating surgeon, assistants
to the surgeon, a scrub person, an anesthesiologist, and a circulating nurse. Each
member of the OR team performs a specific function in coordination with one
another to create an atmosphere that best benefits the patient.
The team is divided into two divisions according to the function of its members.
Sterile OR team: operating surgeon, assistants to the surgeon, and
scrub person
Unsterile OR team: anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, circulator, and
other OR members that might be needed in operating specialized machines or
devices.
Unsterile Operating Room Team
The unsterile operating room members are not allowed to enter the sterile field to
prevent contamination. The responsibilities of the members of this team are the
following:
i. Handle supplies and equipment that are considered unsterile.
ii. Touches unsterile surfaces only.
iii. Keep the sterile team supplied with supplies handled aseptically.
iv. Give direct patient care.
v. Assist the sterile team member’s needs with strict observation
of avoiding contact with the sterile field.
vi. Handles other requirements arising during the surgical procedure.
Unsterile Team Members Anesthesiologist or
Anesthetist
The difference between an anesthesiologist and an anesthetist
An anesthesiologist is a medical practitioner who is certified by a certain
institution while an anesthetist could either be a qualified and licensed nurse,
dentist, or physician who administers anesthetics. The anesthetist
, works under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or a surgeon when
administering a drug or gas.
Responsibilities of an anesthesiologist or anesthetist
i. Choice and application of appropriate agents.
ii. Choice and application of suitable techniques of administration.
iii. Monitoring of physiologic function.
iv. Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.
v. Blood replacement.
vi. Helps minimize the hazards of shock, fire, and electrocution.
vii.Use and interpret correctly a wide variety of monitoring devices.
viii. Overseeing the positioning and movement of patients.
ix. Oversee the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to provide resuscitative care
until the patient has regained vital functions.
Circulator
A circulator is preferably a registered nurse. However, in some cases, a surgical
technologist can perform the role of a circulator with direct supervision from a
registered nurse.
Responsibilities of a circulator:
i. Monitor and coordinate all activities within the room.
ii. Manage the care required for each patient.
iii. Assists any member of the OR team with strict observation to avoid a break in
sterility.
iv. Creates and maintains a safe and comfortable environment for the patient
through the implementation of an aseptic technique.
Operating Room Team: Sterile Members
Operating Room Team
When a patient is about to undergo a surgical procedure direct patient
care will be passed on to the operating room personnel. The operating
room (OR) team is responsible for the well-being of a patient throughout
the operation. This team should not only consider the patient’s privacy but
Patients undergoing surgery will be taken care of by the operating room team. The
safety and privacy of patients in the OR are safeguarded by the operating room
team members. Personnel inside the OR consist of the operating surgeon, assistants
to the surgeon, a scrub person, an anesthesiologist, and a circulating nurse. Each
member of the OR team performs a specific function in coordination with one
another to create an atmosphere that best benefits the patient.
The team is divided into two divisions according to the function of its members.
Sterile OR team: operating surgeon, assistants to the surgeon, and
scrub person
Unsterile OR team: anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, circulator, and
other OR members that might be needed in operating specialized machines or
devices.
Unsterile Operating Room Team
The unsterile operating room members are not allowed to enter the sterile field to
prevent contamination. The responsibilities of the members of this team are the
following:
i. Handle supplies and equipment that are considered unsterile.
ii. Touches unsterile surfaces only.
iii. Keep the sterile team supplied with supplies handled aseptically.
iv. Give direct patient care.
v. Assist the sterile team member’s needs with strict observation
of avoiding contact with the sterile field.
vi. Handles other requirements arising during the surgical procedure.
Unsterile Team Members Anesthesiologist or
Anesthetist
The difference between an anesthesiologist and an anesthetist
An anesthesiologist is a medical practitioner who is certified by a certain
institution while an anesthetist could either be a qualified and licensed nurse,
dentist, or physician who administers anesthetics. The anesthetist
, works under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or a surgeon when
administering a drug or gas.
Responsibilities of an anesthesiologist or anesthetist
i. Choice and application of appropriate agents.
ii. Choice and application of suitable techniques of administration.
iii. Monitoring of physiologic function.
iv. Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.
v. Blood replacement.
vi. Helps minimize the hazards of shock, fire, and electrocution.
vii.Use and interpret correctly a wide variety of monitoring devices.
viii. Overseeing the positioning and movement of patients.
ix. Oversee the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to provide resuscitative care
until the patient has regained vital functions.
Circulator
A circulator is preferably a registered nurse. However, in some cases, a surgical
technologist can perform the role of a circulator with direct supervision from a
registered nurse.
Responsibilities of a circulator:
i. Monitor and coordinate all activities within the room.
ii. Manage the care required for each patient.
iii. Assists any member of the OR team with strict observation to avoid a break in
sterility.
iv. Creates and maintains a safe and comfortable environment for the patient
through the implementation of an aseptic technique.
Operating Room Team: Sterile Members
Operating Room Team
When a patient is about to undergo a surgical procedure direct patient
care will be passed on to the operating room personnel. The operating
room (OR) team is responsible for the well-being of a patient throughout
the operation. This team should not only consider the patient’s privacy but
