2-32. SURGEON'S PREFERENCE CARDS (SUTURE CARDS)
The surgeon's preference cards contain information as to the types of sutures,
needles, and stitches required for a procedure. A card is on file for each surgeon for
each kind of operation that he performs. The surgeon's glove size may also be included
on the card as well as the surgeon's preference for an instrument not included in the
basic set.
Section V. SELECTED FORMS USED IN THE OPERATING ROOM
2-33. INTRODUCTION
The forms selected for discussion are those that provide basic information to the
specialist concerning his work in the OR suite. The specialist checks the
OR Schedule to identify the operations to which he is assigned. The specialist may
obtain detailed information for the performance of his assigned tasks by referring
to the procedure manual. The assignment roster may be prepared for the entire
week, but the specialist should check it at least twice daily because a change in
assignments may have been entered.
2-34. NURSING SERVICE PERSONNEL TIME SCHEDULE
a. Discussion. DA Form 3872, Nursing Service Personnel Time Schedule (see
figure 2-2) is used to list the days on duty and off duty for all OR personnel. The NCOIC
assists in the preparation of the time schedule for the OR specialists. The schedule is
posted for one week at a time and is usually prepared several weeks in advance.
b. Need for a Time Schedule. The use of a time schedule enables the
personnel responsible to plan for the adequate coverage of the suite at all times and
enables personnel assigned to make plans ahead of time. If the hospital has a "call
system" for coverage after normal duty hours, the time schedule should indicate the
personnel who are "on call" for the week.
c. Coverage After Normal Duty Hours. All surgical suites must plan for
adequate coverage in the event that emergency surgery must be performed after
normal duty hours. In large OR suites, or in a hospital where a great deal of
emergency work is done, coverage is provided by scheduling personnel on shifts
around the clock. In surgical suites not using shifts, personnel should be placed "on
call" to provide coverage for emergency operations. Some installations assign call
personnel as well as having shifts. Persons on call must be highly skilled in all kinds of
surgery since the types of emergency operations cannot be predetermined. The
specialist taking call must be available within a very short time and must inform the
person responsible for calling him of his whereabouts at all times. Local policy will
indicate whether personnel taking call are to sleep in a room in the hospital or in
quarters. The shifts and call duty are rotated frequently so that a person does not work
the same shift all the time or take excessive call.
MD0923
2-31