SUR 140 - Fundamentals of Surgical Tech

1. Evaluate asepsis and sterile technique
   1. Discuss the relationship between the principles of asepsis and practice of sterile technique and surgical patient care
   2. Define the concept of surgical conscience
   3. Examine the principles of asepsis and terms related to asepsis
   4. Explain the sterile practices related to the principles of asepsis
   5. Examine the surgical environment and the application of the principles of asepsis to the environment
2. Examine disinfection and sterilization
   1. Examine the principles and procedures related to disinfection and sterilization
   2. Characterize competency in the procedures related to disinfection and sterilization
3. Assess preoperative case management
   1. Define appropriate attire to be worn in different areas of the operating room
   2. Demonstrate techniques of preparing and opening supplies and instruments needed for any operative procedure with the maintenance of sterile technique at all times
   3. Perform the proper techniques for the surgical hand scrub, gowning, gloving, and assisting team members
   4. Demonstrate the proper technique for preparing supplies and instruments on a sterile field
   5. Demonstrate in detail the procedure for counting instruments, sponges, needles, and other items on the sterile field
4. Characterize informed consent, transportation and positioning of the surgical patient
   1. Describe the process used to obtain an informed consent for a surgical procedure or treatment
   2. Demonstrate the principles of transportation of the surgical patient
   3. Identify preoperative routines, such as taking and recording vital signs
   4. Explain principles of urinary catherization
   5. Examine the principles of surgical positioning
   6. Discuss the application of thermoregulatory devices
   7. Describe how operative site preparation and urinary catherization are related both to patient care and the principles of asepsis
   8. Examine methods of hemostasis or blood replacement and the preparation and use of appropriate agents or devices
   9. Give examples of developing emergency situations with appropriate action and treatment of the patient
5. Assess intraoperative case management
   1. Characterize the initial steps for starting a procedure
   2. Demonstrate intraoperative handling of sterile equipment and supplies
   3. Explain the basic steps of progression of the surgical procedure 
6. Perform the process for counting instruments, sponges and sharps.
   1. Determine accountability and liability for surgical counts
   2. Discuss the stages of counting including initial, second and closing counts.
   3. Demonstrate the procedure for counting instruments, sponges and sharps preoperatively and intraoperatively
   4. Explain actions taken when there is an incorrect count
   5. Explain documentation of surgical counts including intraoperative records and count sheets
7. Illustrate postoperative case management
   1. Demonstrate proper drape, gown and glove removal
   2. Discuss immediate postoperative patient care including transfer and transportation
   3. Show us appropriate breakdown of the setup
8. Evaluate instrumentation in the operating room
   1. Identify items that require sterilization prior to use in the sterile field
   2. Differentiate basic instruments by type, function and name
   3. Demonstrate proper care, handling and assembly of instruments
9. Assess equipment used in the operating room
   1. Differentiate types of special equipment utilized in OR practice
   2. Demonstrate proper care, handling techniques and safety precautions of special equipment
   3. Determine accessory equipment used for surgical procedures
10. Examine supplies used in the operating room
    1. Give examples of types of drapes used for surgical procedures
    2. Identify sponges, dressings, irrigators and syringes used by the operating room team
    3. Describe various catheters, tubes and drains available for use 
11. Evaluate types of suture, needles and stapling devices used intraoperatively.
    1. Characterize common suture terms
    2. Identify suture materials, stapling devices and their usage
    3. Differentiate types, characteristics, and uses of natural and synthetic absorbable suture materials
    4. Examine the common natural and synthetic nonabsorbable sutures and their sources, common trade names and uses
    5. Assess common suture techniques
    6. Demonstrate the use of and proper handling of the various types of surgical needles
    7. Explain the basic uses and advantages of the stapling instruments
    8. Give examples of the types of injury that cause damage to tissues.
    9. Break down the characteristics, stages and phases of wound healing
12. Assess diagnostic procedures
    1. Characterize anatomy and physiology used to determine which diagnostic examinations will be useful.
    2. Examine the sources of patient data
    3. Discuss techniques used to establish the diagnosis
    4. Explain which diagnostic procedures will require surgical intervention
13. Describe tissue specimen care and handling
    1. Cite the surgical technologist’s role in caring for each specific type of specimen
    2. Give examples of the techniques used for handling specimens
14. Examine the process of informed consent, transportation and positioning of the surgical patient.
    1. Explain an understanding of the process used to obtain an informed consent for a surgical procedure or treatment.
    2. Demonstrate the principles of transportation of the surgical patient.
    3. Review preoperative routines, such as taking and recording vital signs.
    4. Explain the principles of urinary catheterization.
    5. Demonstrate the principles of surgical positioning.
    6. Give examples of the application of thermoregulatory devices.
    7. Describe how the operative site preparation and urinary catheterization are related both to the patient care and principles of asepsis.
    8. Discuss methods of hemostasis or blood replacement and the preparation and use of appropriate agents or devices.
    9. Give examples of developing emergency situations with appropriate action and treatment of the patient.
15. Compare and contrast methods of hemostasis and the types of characteristics of surgical wounds.
    1. Examine terms pertinent to wound healing.
    2. Explain the classifications of a surgical wound.
    3. Give examples of examples of traumatic wounds.
    4. Characterize the factors that influence healing and the manner in which they affect the healing process.
    5. Explain the characteristics of inflammation.