By Ellie Williams
Scrub nurses, also called perioperative nurses, are registered nurses who assist in surgical procedures by setting up the room before the operation, working with the doctor during surgery and preparing the patient for the move to the recovery room. Scrub nurses work in various clinical settings, including hospital surgical departments, private physicians’ offices, clinics and ambulatory or “day surgery” centers.
Before Surgery
The scrub nurse’s duties begin far before the start of the operation. He ensures the operating room is clean and ready to be set up, then prepares the instruments and equipment needed for the surgery. He counts all sponges, instruments, needles and other tools and preserves the sterile environment by “scrubbing in,” which requires washing his hands with special soaps and putting on sterile garments, including a gown, gloves and face mask. When the surgeon arrives, the nurse helps her with her gown and gloves before preparing the patient for surgery.
During Surgery
During the operation, one of the scrub nurse’s primary duties is selecting and passing instruments to the surgeon. The scrub nurse’s role here is supporting the surgeon while also maintaining patient safety. The nurse must know which instruments are used for specific procedures and when they are needed, so she can quickly hand them to the surgeon. The scrub nurse must also watch for hand signals to know when the surgeon is ready for the next tool or when he is done using a tool and is ready to hand it back to the scrub nurse, who cleans the tools after use and places each tool back in its place on the table. She also monitors the surgery to ensure everything remains sterile.
After Surgery
After the operation, the scrub nurse again counts all instruments, sponges and other tools and informs the surgeon of the count. He removes tools and equipment from the operating area, helps apply dressing to the surgical site and transports the patient to the recovery area. He also completes any necessary documentation regarding the surgery or the patient’s transfer to recovery.
Patient Interaction
Scrub nurses could not deliver quality patient care without a good understanding of nursing skills. This includes meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families alongside the delivery of surgical care. Although scrub nurses do not spend as much time on relationship-building as other nursing occupations, they are expected to act as the patient’s advocate throughout his surgical journey. As such, it’s essential that the nurse can build a rapport with the patient and earn his confidence.
Working Conditions and Challenges
Because scrub nurses are so vital to surgical procedures, they may work long hours, even for a single operation, and may be called in at all hours to assist in emergency operations. They must have a thorough knowledge of operating room procedures, including the tools needed for specific surgeries, and must be able to stay calm and clearheaded even under pressure. They must also have excellent communication skills, because one of their primary duties is working with the surgeon and assisting her with anything she needs during the operation.