e. Assist the operating room technician. The patient is usually transported to the
operating room on a wheeled litter, or gurney. The technician should cover the patient
with a clean sheet or cotton blanket. Assist the technician to position the patient on the
litter. See that the patient is comfortable, and that the restraint is fastened to prevent him
from falling off the litter.
8-5.
DOCUMENT NURSING MEASURES
a. All necessary information should be recorded on the chart before the patient
leaves the nursing unit. Check the patient's identification band to be sure the right patient
is being taken to surgery. Check the consent form to be sure that it is correctly signed and
witnessed.
b. "Sign out" the patient in the nurse's notes. Include the date, the time, the event,
and your observations on the status of the patient. "Sign off" DD Form 1924, Surgical
Check List.
SECTION II. THE INTRAOPERATIVE PHASE
8-6.
THE SURGICAL TEAM
a. Key Members. The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is received in
the surgical area and lasts until the patient is transferred to the recovery area. Although
the surgeon has the most important role in this phase, there are five key members of the
surgical team.
b. The Surgeon. The surgeon is the leader of the surgical team. The surgeon is
ultimately responsible for performing the surgery effectively and safely; however, he is
dependent upon other members of the team for the patient's emotional well being and
physiologic monitoring.
c. Anesthesiologist/Anesthetist. An anesthesiologist is a physician trained in
the administration of anesthetics. An anesthetist is a registered professional nurse trained
to administer anesthetics. The responsibilities of the anesthesiologist or anesthetist
include:
(1)
Providing a smooth induction of the patient's anesthesia in order to prevent
pain.
(2) Maintaining satisfactory degrees of relaxation of the patient for the duration
of the surgical procedure.
(3) Continuous monitoring of the physiologic status of the patient for the
duration of the surgical procedure.
(4) Continuous monitoring of the physiologic status of the patient to include
oxygen exchange, systemic circulation, neurologic status, and vital signs.
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