Key Terms
Guidelines, usually expressed in a series of statements, that provide ethical standards of conduct for a profession.
Code of Ethics
This team member is responsible for performing the operation.
The Surgeon
This type of communication uses spoken words.
Working together toward a common goal.
Teamwork
The top priority in the operating room.
Patient Safety
To leave a patient alone who is still in need of care or observation.
Abandonment
This person maintains the sterile field and passes instruments during surgery.
Surgical Technologist
Body language, facial expressions, and gestures are forms of this.
Being dependable and trustworthy in your duties.
Responsibility
This is performed before incision to verify patient, site, and procedure.
Time-Out
Written instructions expressing the patient’s wishes concerning the types and amount of medical treatment to be rendered in the event the patient can no longer make those types of decisions.
Advance Directive
This team member manages the overall nursing care in the OR and coordinates activities.
Circulator (Circulating Nurse)
Repeating back information to confirm accuracy is called this.
Closed-Loop Communication
Owning your actions and mistakes.
Mistakes in patient care are called these.
Medical Errors
Guides for ethical decision making that include the concern individuals have for the well-being of others, respect for individual autonomy, basic justice, prevention of harm to others, and refusal to take unfair advantage.
Moral Principles
This person monitors the patient’s vital signs and manages anesthesia.
Anesthesia Provider
This part of the communication process confirms that the message was received and understood.
Feedback
Treating others with courtesy and dignity.
Respect
Poor communication most commonly leads to these in surgery.
Adverse Events
The basis for the practice of strict adherence to sterile technique by all surgical team members; involves a level of honestyand more integrity that must be upheld.
Surgical Conscience
This person assists the surgeon directly by retracting, suturing, and suctioning
Surgical Assistant or First Assistant
This style of communication in the operating room is clear, direct, and focused on preventing errors.
Effective Communication
This trait means staying calm, focused, and appropriate in stressful situations.
Professionalism
This act of speaking up helps prevent patient harm.
Advocacy