Chapter 1 Orientation to Surgical Technology Key Terms

Question 1

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)

Answer 1

A committee on accreditation that is under the large umbrella of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which oversees the accreditation processes of surgical technology education programs

Question 2

ambulatory surgery center (ASC)

Answer 2

Facility where patients are treated and released the same day; also known as outpatient surgery or same-day surgery center

Question 3

American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Answer 3

Non-profit national organization of surgeons located in Chicago, Illinois

Question 4

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)

Answer 4

The nonprofit national professional membership organization for surgical technologists and surgical assistants

Question 5

circulator

Answer 5

Nonsterile surgical team member who moves about the periphery of the sterile field

Question 6

competency

Answer 6

(1) Skill; (2) ability; (3) statements that establish the level of skill or quality needed to be able to perform the job duties of a profession

Question 7

confidentiality

Answer 7

An essential principle in which healthcare providers do not disclose, either written or orally, the confidential information of a patient except to other authorized individuals

Question 8

Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology

Answer 8

The curriculum for an educational program that provides the expected entry-level knowledge forthe surgical technologist

Question 9

doctor of osteopathy (DO)

Answer 9

A physician who treats patients in a holistic manner and emphasizes the use of manipulative techniques for correcting abnormalities thought to cause disease and inhibit recovery

Question 10

elective

Answer 10

A planned, non-urgent surgical procedure

Question 11

emergency

Answer 11

A life-threatening medical condition or situation, such as a natural disaster

Question 12

health maintenance organization (HMO)

Answer 12

Health care organization that serves as both the insurer and provider of medical services; typically, a group of physicians provides services to a population of clients who voluntarily enroll in the program

Question 13

intraoperative

Answer 13

The second phase of surgical case management that occurs while the surgical procedure is being performed

Question 14

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

Answer 14

Organization that is solely responsible for all decisions regarding certification, from determining eligibility to maintaining, denying, granting, and renewing the credentials

Question 15

optional

Answer 15

Surgical intervention that does not have to be performed in order to preserve life or limb

Question 16

perioperative

Answer 16

Refers to the three phases of surgery: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative

Question 17

postoperative

Answer 17

Period of time after surgery when the patient is recovering

Question 18

preceptor

Answer 18

Instructor or tutor who demonstrates the general rules of conduct and procedures and guides the students while they are practicing or performing

Question 19

preoperative

Answer 19

Period of time before the surgical procedure begins

Question 20

professional

Answer 20

An individual who has special education and experience in a given field and who meets certain competency-based and ethical criteria

Question 21

proprietary

Answer 21

Organization or company that is owned and operated by an individual or corporation with the intent of making a profit that is returned to the investors; the profit is taxable

Question 22

surgical conscience

Answer 22

The basis for the practice of strict adherence to sterile technique by all surgical team members; involves a level of honesty and moral integrity that must be upheld

Question 23

surgical technologist

Answer 23

Allied health professional whose primary role is the first scrub role and is an expert in the principles of asepsis

Question 24

The Joint Commission

Answer 24

An independent, nonprofit national organization that develops standards and performance criteria for health care organizations

Question 25

urgent

Answer 25

Surgical pathology requiring treatment within a relatively short period of time