h. Place a clean sheet and lift sheet on the operating table and put a towel
across the head of the table (this is called "dressing" the table).
i. Clean any special equipment that was used and return it to the proper
storage place unless it is needed for the next case. Report to the operating room
supervisor or the NCOIC any defective equipment and remove it from the room.
Complete all other assignments related to the case as directed by local policy; this
includes taking tissue specimens to the appropriate place.
4-6.
DUTIES OF THE SCRUB
The scrub is not to "break scrub" (contaminate his gown and gloves or the sterile
equipment) until the patient has been taken from the room or is otherwise directed by
anesthesia (according to local policy). Thus, if an emergency such as cardiac arrest
should develop, the needed equipment remains sterile and the scrub is available to
assist the surgeon. The duties after surgery are given below.
a. Remove knife blades from the handles. Use a needle holder to remove a
knife blade; never use your fingers. When removing the blade, point the blade
floorward and away from your body. Discard in accordance with local policy.
b. Likewise, all needles and other sharps are discarded into a sharps container
according to local policy.
c. The local SOP will outline the procedures for handling used instruments and
basins. In general, sort the instruments in the washer-sterilizer and process them;
empty the solutions from the other basins; rinse and stack the basins; and discard used
sponges into the kick bucket. Then discard the linen from the Mayo table and back
table after checking for instruments and other equipment and place with the linen from
the patient.
NOTE: For institutions that do not have a washer-sterilizer in the OR, refer to local SOP
for cleaning the instruments and sending them to CMS to be reprocessed.
d. Check the supplies for the next case and consult with the circulator
concerning particular items needed for the setup.
e. Discard your surgical mask and don a fresh mask. Then proceed to scrub
for the next case.
f. Assist the circulator with the cleaning and restocking of the room for the
next day's surgery if no additional cases are scheduled.
MD0935
4-12