Operating Room Team

When a patient is about to undergo a surgical procedure direct patient care

will be pass 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 patients privacy but will also promote
safety measures for the patient. One way of promoting safety of patients
inside the OR is by preventing infection from the surgical incision that will be
done.

As described, the OR team is similar to that of a symphony orchestra. There

are many members in an orchestra but they work together in unison and
harmony to create a superb outcome. The operating room (OR) team does
the same thing. They coordinate their work with each other to have a
successful operation.

Classification of OR team
There are two types of OR team according to the functions of its members.

Sterile team members

1. Surgeon
2. Assistants to the surgeon
3. Scrub person (either a registered nurse or surgical
technologist)
Unsterile team members
1. Anesthesiologist
2. Circulator
3. Biomedical technicians, radiology technicians or other staff
that might be needed to set up and operate specialized
equipment or devices essential in monitoring the patient during a
surgical operation
Operating Room Team: Sterile Personnel
The members of the OR sterile team will do the following things:

1. Perform surgical hand washing (arms are included).

2. Don sterile gowns and gloves.
3. Enter the sterile field.
4. Handles sterile items only.
5. Functions only within a limited area (sterile field).
6. Wear mask.
Operating Surgeon
The surgeon is a licensed physician (MD), osteopath (DO), oral surgeon (DDS
or DMD), or podiatrist (DPM). This professional is especially trained and is
qualified by knowledge and experience for the performance of a surgical
operation.

Responsibilities of a surgeon:

1. Preoperative diagnosis and care of the patient

2. Performance of the surgical procedure
3. Postoperative management of care
Assistants to surgeon
During a surgical procedure, the operating surgeon can have one or two
assistants to perform specific tasks under his/her (operating surgeon)
direction. The responsibilities of a surgeons assistant:

1. Help maintain the visibility of the surgical site

2. Control bleeding
3. Close wounds
4. Apply dressings
5. Handles tissues
6. Uses instruments
Types of Assistants to Surgeon:

First Assistants could either be:

1. A qualified surgeon or resident in an accredited surgical
education program. The first assistant should be capable of
assuming the operating surgeons responsibility in cases of
incapacitation or accidents.
2. Registered Nurse and surgical technologists that have a written
hospital policy permitting the action.
Second Assistant could be a registered nurse or surgical
technologist. These staff should be trained and they mar retract
 tissues and suction body fluids to help provide exposure of the
surgical site.
Scrub Person
A scrub person could be the following:

Registered Nurse
Surgical technologist
Licensed practical/vocational nurse
The responsibility of a scrub person is to maintain the integrity, safety and
efficiency of the sterile field throughout the surgical procedure.