Surgery Roles/Duties

Question 1

Circulating Nurse

Answer 1

Restraint during catheter placement and intubation, and monitoring the animal until the anesthetist has completed induction/intubation

Clipping and preparing the surgical site – including blocking the surgery sites

Giving any peri-operative medications – antibiotics, pain medications

Filling medications to go home

Cleaning and resetting the induction area after the patient is moved to OR.

Opening and passing supplies to the surgery team

Assisting the surgery team and anesthetist as needed (including getting medications, supplies, and helping move patient to and from OR)

Read STOP checklists out loud and initial when complete

Question 2

The anesthetist(s)

Answer 2

Calculating drug dosages, IV fluid rate, etc…
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Labeling syringes and pulling up controlled drugs with the DVM or Vet Tech; other group members can help with pulling up other drugs (non-controlled) in properly labelled syringes

Induction – giving pre-meds, inducing general anesthesia, intubating the patient

Monitoring and maintaining anesthesia – this includes filling out the anesthesia form/record & administering/monitoring IV fluids

Moving the patient to OR and to recovery – this includes extubating the patient

Monitoring the patient post-op – this includes taking the patient’s post-operative TPR parameters and recording them

2 group/team members need to be with the patient at all times in recovery

Removing catheter when DVM has approved removal, placing the temporary pressure wrap

Removing the pressure wrap

Question 3

Scrub Nurse/Surgical Assistant

Answer 3

Place the IV catheter – 2 attempts

Scrub in with the doctor and assist in surgery

Clean and reset the OR once the patient is moved to recovery

Wash surgical instruments

Fill out discharge papers & complete surgery report with DVM

Make copies of appropriate paperwork (discharge paperwork) for owner/client

Enter medical record into AVImark and make file.