SUR 101 - The Surgical Patient

B. Discuss biopsychosocial needs and death and dying of the patient.

C. Discuss the ethical, legal, and moral responsibilities of the surgical technologist.

D. Discuss the concepts of patient care, and preoperative routines.

E. Explain the proper elements of documentation and risk management.

F. Cite examples of interventions used by health care providers to respond to needs manifested by the surgical patient.

G. Discuss patient rights contained in formal Patient Bill of Rights documents found within a variety of health care organizations. Analyze the rights of patients including the right to receive quality care, the right to privacy, the right to informed consent, and other specific areas of patient rights contained in formal Patient Bill of Rights documents found within a variety of health care organizations.

H. Explain the contents of the informed consent to treat authorization document.

I. Explain the role of the surgeon and the witness when an informed consent document is witnessed.

J. Discuss exceptions to the patient signature requirement and validity of an informed consent.

K. Explain the process used to obtain a legally valid informed consent to treat authorization.

L. Identify preoperative physical preparation of the surgical patient.

M. Describe the importance and process of reviewing a patient’s chart preoperatively for the necessary pre-surgery preparation.

N. Explain the purpose and technique for correct patient and procedure identification.

O. Transfer and transport the patient through the steps of a surgical procedure.

P. Position the surgical patient for surgical procedures.

Q. Document the pre-surgical, the surgical, and the post-surgery events and processes for each patient.

R. Explain the purpose and legal necessity for thorough documentation.
Course Outline:

• Surgical Personnel (Roles and Responsibilities)
• Preoperative Duties of the Circulator
• Role of the Surgical Technologist
• Equipment and Design of O.R. Environment
• Preoperative Preparation of the Surgical Patient                           
• Patient Care Concepts &  Communicating with the Surgical Patient                           
• History and Physical of the Surgical Patient                           
• The Patient “Bill of Rights” & The Patient’s Record                       
•  Patient Transportation and Safety
• The Ambulatory Surgical Patient
• Surgical Emergencies
• The Whole Body: Planes, Cavities, and Regions
• Patient Positioning & Surgical Incisions 
• Anesthesia of the Surgical Patient
• Catheterization, Prepping, and Draping the Surgical Patient
• Wound Healing/Sutures/Needles/and Stapling Devices
• Care of Specimens (hands-on)
• Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests Preoperatively & Intra-operatively

Lecture 50%

Collaborative Work 20%

Demonstration 10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None