There are more than just surgeons in the operating room! It’s Surgical Technologist Week, and we’re here to celebrate some of the other heroes who help make sure every procedure is successful.
What is a Surgical Technologist?
A surgical technologist, often called a “surgery, or ‘surge’ tech,” is a vital member of the operating room team. Surge techs prepare the operating room and equipment, maintain a sterile environment, and assist the surgical team throughout the procedure. Their work supports every stage of surgery: before, during, and after.
Key Responsibilities of Surgical Technologists:
- Prepare Operating Room: The techs set up the surgical equipment and instruments and prepare the sterile field within the Operating room.
- Ready The Patient: Techs prepare the patients for the procedure by positioning the patient on the table, covering the patient with the sterile drapes, and cleaning the incision area. Surge techs also assists the surgical team, and operating physician into sterile gowns pre-procedure.
- Maintain Instruments: During the procedure, surgery techs pass instruments to the surgeons when needed, and make sure all instruments are accounted for and the area remains sterile.
- Assist with Recovery: After the procedure, techs can be the ones who apply surgical site dressings to the patient and contribute to the cleanup process
- Dispose of Surgical Materials: Just like with prepping the operation room, Surgery technologists ensure the tools used and bio-waste during the procedure are properly sanitized and disposed of.
Without surgery technologists, procedures literally couldn’t be done! We’re so thankful for our incredible team at Surgery Center Cedar Rapids, and we know they can’t wait to help you through your next medical procedure.
