Surgical Team Roles and Responsibilities

Study Notes

Surgical Team Roles and Responsibilities

The surgical team comprises personnel providing direct patient care during surgical procedures in sterile and non-sterile roles.
Key members include the surgeon, first assistant, and scrub assistant.

Surgeon

A licensed physician (MD), osteopath (DO), or oral surgeon (DDS or DDM).
Responsible for pre-operative diagnosis and the surgical procedure itself.
Leads the surgical team, making critical decisions regarding surgical techniques.
Communicates risks and benefits, obtains informed consent, and oversees postoperative care.

First Assistant

Can be a resident, intern, physician’s assistant, or perioperative nurse under direct supervision of the surgeon.
Handles tissues, provides exposure in the operating field, sutures, and maintains hemostasis.
Must anticipate needs and manage emergencies effectively during surgery.

Scrub Assistant

Can be a nurse or surgical technician responsible for maintaining sterility.
Conducts surgical hand scrubs, sets up sterile tables, and prepares surgical materials.
Assists the surgeon by anticipating and providing necessary instruments during the procedure.
Collaborates on counting needles, sponges, and instruments before closing the operation to prevent retention in the patient.

Anesthesiologist and Anesthetist

The anesthesiologist is a physician specializing in anesthesia administration and patient monitoring.
The anesthetist is a healthcare professional qualified to administer anesthetics.
Assess the patient pre-surgery, select and administer anesthesia, and manage any technical problems.
Continuously monitor vital signs and patient condition throughout the surgical procedure.

Circulating Nurse

Ensures patient consent, safety, and comfort during surgery.
Manages operating room setup and supplies, recording surgical details and equipment used.
Monitors aseptic practices to prevent contamination and coordinates personnel movement in the OR.
Responsible for instrument and sharps counting, communicating with staff outside the OR.

Paraprofessional / Ancillary Positions

Include sterilization and processing technicians, orderlies, nursing assistants, environmental services, and clerical staff.
Provide effective barriers to prevent microorganism dissemination and protect surgical wounds.

Aseptic Technique

A set of practices aimed at reducing microorganisms in the surgical environment, equipment, and supplies.
Goals include optimizing wound healing, preventing surgical infections, and minimizing recovery time.

Principles of Aseptic Technique

All objects in a sterile field must be sterile.
Sterile objects become non-sterile when touched by non-sterile objects.
Items below waist level or held at that level are considered non-sterile.
Additional principles govern the maintenance of sterile fields and practices during surgery.

Description

This quiz explores the various roles and responsibilities of the surgical team members, detailing the functions of the surgeon, first assistant, and scrub assistant during a surgical procedure. It provides insights into the critical personnel involved in patient care within sterile and non-sterile environments.