SUR 140 - Fundamentals of Surgical Tech

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