As Surgical Technology becomes more complicated over time, it helps to sometimes take a step back and simplify my thinking about the business. Many OR workers have a different view of what makes up Surgical Technology. In broad terms, I think it can be boiled down to three components including learning the instruments and supplies, keeping apace of new tools, and maintaining sterility.
This science is very captivating. It is one of the reasons that people who work in Operating Rooms are able to learn the thousands of instruments and consumables.
For every new member of the surgical team, they must complete a type of scavenger hunt and orientation with a focus on the location and uses of items they may not have learned in school. There have been many situations throughout my career where knowing these details have meant saving someone’s life.
The next convention of Surgical Technology is being able to recognize and use the new gear that is constantly appearing in the Operating Room. A perfect case in point are the new robotic devices that are changing the way that operations take place.
These machines that become a part of surgery bring with them completely new ways of doing things. There are usually new sterile drapes and instruments that are required to make them work. Surgical companies are always coming up with fascinating new ways to operate and it definitely keeps the job fresh.
While the latest and greatest technology is very important, I feel it is critical to have a solid grasp of the basic techniques and knowledge that are taught in school. These lessons form the core of a successful Surgical Tech career and the most important one in my mind is sterile technique.
Our job demands that we pay fanatical attention to keeping the surgical wound as free as we can of contamination. This is expressed in the specific ways that we scrub our hands and arms, put on gloves and gowns, drape, and pop up sterile gear. The patient absolutely must be the first consideration. If we are sloppy with these things, unwanted bacteria can cause the surgical site to become infected, meaning that we failed at our job.
Surgical Technology encompasses a wealth of other information as well. But, I feel most of it can be caged under these broad ideas that I have discussed here.