Circulating Nurse Role
This document is used as a cheat sheet or "recipe card" for surgery. It is specific to each surgeon for each surgery and used to pick all supplies needed for a procedure.
Doctors Preference Card (DPC) or Picklist
These are the three zones of the perioperative environment.
Unrestricted
Semi Restricted
Restricted
These are the 3 phases of the VCH Surgical Safety Checklist:
Briefing
Time Out
Debriefing
List 5 responsibilities of the "AR" Circulating Nurse (patient care)
Patient check in
Assist with intubation/anesthesia
Foley catheter insertion
Apply SCDs
Positioning
Skin Prep
Apply blankets/warming devices
These are the 3 components of the fire triangle (and an example of each):
1. Ignition Source (ESU pencil)
2. Fuel (skin prep, surgical drapes)
3. Oxidizer (oxygen, nitrous oxide)
True or False:
According to the VCH Professional Image Guideline, nail polish is permitted if it is fresh, non-chipped and a neutral color.
FALSE
Staff providing direct care to patients should maintain clean, short nails with no nail polish. Prosthetic nails and nail art are not acceptable.
When should shoe covers be worn in the perioperative environment?
When there is risk of spill (ie. ortho, trauma cases, gyne) or if wearing non-dedicated OR shoes (street shoes).
This medication is used to treat MH:
Dantrolene Sodium
Ask the patient to state the procedure they are having (in their own words).
Verify the document is complete:
- Signed by patient and surgeon
- Procedure matches what the patient has stated and what is booked on the slate
Describe the correct procedure for verifying the patient's identity.
Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth. Confirm this information and the MRN matches the face sheet.
List 3 elements of a culture of safety:
Safe environment
Effective communication
Appropriate staffing levels
Correct instrument care and cleaning
Fire safety
Patient-centeredness
Prevention of falls
Sharps safety
Teamwork
True or False:
Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the surgeon (or Most Responsible Provider)
True.
According to the Consent to Healthcare Policy, the Most Responsible Provider obtains informed consent.
The role of the nurse is to make a reasonable effort to ensure that a consent decision is in place, and to advise the surgeon if concerns arise as to the validity of a consent decision.
List the items/equipment you are required to check as part of your room safety check prior to each case.
Slate
Confirm Case Cart
Code Blue Button
Lights (room lights and operating lights)
Suction
Anesthesia Machine
OR Bed
Room Furniture (back table, ring stand, mayo stand, gown tables, garbage, linen, kick buckets, IV poles x2)
Equipment (ESU, smoke evacuator, warming device)
What does LAST stand for?
What are the signs and symptoms?
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity
Metallic taste
Tingling in the mouth
Tinnitus
Dizziness
According to the Surgical Site Identification Policy, these 2 criteria must be met for site marking to be waived.
1. No laterality
2. Approached through a natural body orifice