Planning Based on Assessment

Once the circulating nurse has completed their preoperative assessment, they may need to go back to the OR room to:

1. Perform additional setup based on their findings.
2. Collaborate with the anesthesia care team to ensure any extra equipment is available.
3. Relay any additional information to the surgical team that may need to be followed up on.

Transporting to the OR

Depending on a patient’s disposition, they may come to the OR by:

1. Foot
2. Wheelchair
3. Stretcher
4. Hospital bed

Depending on the institution’s protocol and the patient’s status, they may be brought to the OR by a porter or may require the nurse and anesthesiologist to accompany them during transport.

💬 Communication Highlight

The Surgical Safety Checklist Part 1: The BRIEFING

You were introduced to the surgical safety checklist as a patient safety tool in course 1. The BRIEFING takes place when a patient enters the OR, is transferred onto the OR bed, and before the induction of anesthesia. This occurs while the patient is still awake so they can be a part of the briefing procedure.

• The briefing is meant to provide a communication tool to confirm key patient information and preparation before anesthesia is induced.
• Remember that each institution is encouraged to adapt the surgical safety checklist to best suit their needs.

The WHO recommends the following information be covered in the surgical briefing:

(ORNAC, 2021)