— Operating Room —

12 Rules of the Operating Room

May 25, 2018

There are several rules of the operating room that everyone should abide by. I’m not saying that everyone does, I’m just saying that everyone should. So I’ve put together a list of 12 rules that make our operating world go ’round. Some of these are actually a little bit more like unrealistic expectations, but they exist all the same. See if you can relate to any of these…

12 Rules of the Operating Room

 

#1 – Don’t be late – ever. But if you are, it’s always anesthesia’s fault. πŸ˜‰

#2 – Never argue with the board runner. Unless losing battles is your thing, then go for it.

#3 – Never steal equipment from another O.R. – get to work early so you can get all of your equipment and protect it from the thieving masses.

#4 – Never position a patient incorrectly for a procedure. Or face the wrath of the surgeon who didn’t help you when they find out it’s not what they wanted.

#5 – Always, and I mean always, know what your surgeon wants before he or she wants it. You must always be a mind reader.

#6 – Always keep your cloth hat covered with a bouffant, and don’t even think about wearing a skull cap behind the red line. It’s the latest unforgivable sin.

#7 – Never forget the music. And don’t forget Dr. Intensity’s favorite station because he gets “so annoyed” when you ask him.

Everyone knows what station I listen to. I shouldn’t have to tell you. Source: www.giphy.com

#8 – Medical Students/Residents: Never assume that the scrub has opened your gloves. Really, if this is your first time in their room, how would they even know your glove size?

#9 – Surgeons: Do not deem your add-on case a level 1 emergency just so you don’t have to wait to operate. Save the emergency classification for real emergencies.

#10 – The Time-Out is the most sacred of all events that occurs in surgery – always observe it.

#11 – Never, Never, NEVER touch, reach across, reach over, or get too close to anything blue. Don’t contaminate a sterile field – your scrub will hate you. And so will everyone else when they hear about it later.

#12 – Don’t abuse your ability to call-in. Everyone gets sick. No one gets sick every time they’re scheduled to work late or be on call.

After awhile, we just don’t believe you. Source: www.giphy.com.

I hope you enjoyed this list. Is there a rule you think is missing? Share it in the comments! I’d love to hear what you would add πŸ˜‚

Melanie

19 thoughts on “12 Rules of the Operating Room”

  1. Never argue with surgeon during case,he or she is always right….
    Take it to lounge after case or your boss….Thank you

  2. If you’re scrubbed, don’t wait until you have your gown and gloves on to remember EVERYTHING you need for the case

    1. YES! I worked with a scrub once who never remembered his gloves until after he walked in the room and started putting his gown on lol

    2. Right? Fry my panties! I mean seriously, didn’t they check their cart before rolling it into the room? I’m only two years circulating but come on!

  3. Medical students & interns: if you’re scrubbed in and feel sick, ALWAYS faint backwards or you’ll get cursed through hell & back!

  4. Remember the name of the person keeping your patient alive. I went to medical school and have a birth certificate with my name on it. My name is NOT Anesthesia, that’s my career choice.

  5. Never EVER put drinks on the anesthesia machine! It is an expensive complex piece of equipment! The Anesthesia Tech will be pissed!

  7. Remember we’re a team. No one can do a surgery by themselves.I’ve been a circulating nurse, that also scrubs, for 28yrs. It’s so much better when we all work together!

  8. As a scrub person..whether RN or Tech….PLEASE don’t make suggestions for him to use something you DO NOT HAVE!! Making the Circulator run her a** off will not endear you to him/her.

    1. OMG – I was just going to add this rule. I had a scrub that constantly did that and I spent the entire case running to get things she suggested to the surgeon (and they weren’t in the room, of course). SO annoying!

  9. The circulator is not invisible, Dr. Surgeon. If you thank the scrub, thank the circulator, too.

  10. Sally, I once had a scrub person have me search for an item he suggested, and it didn’t even EXIST…but I didn’t know that b/c I was Circulating a service that I didn’t DO very often. It was only after a good bit of time searching, I called for some ‘looking’ assistance and found it to be a non existant item. The amount of time wasted and away from my pt really ticked me off!! #wildgoosechase

  11. Never ever say, β€œI wasn’t taught that β€œ, to the educator that actually taught you. We have competencies to prove it, lol.

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