Fast Track Surgery: General, Vascular and Urology - PasTest

OPERATING THEATRE: DO’S AND DON’TSDO have a good night’s sleep and a proper breakfast before attendingDO review the relevant anatomy beforehandDO ask the theatre sister to teach you how to scrub up properly (arriveearly for this)DO know the patients inside out before they arriveDO make sure that there is a medical student scrubbed for every caseDO use time between cases wisely by either reviewing cases orpractising knotsDON’T disturb the surgeon without asking permission firstDON’T annoy the scrub nurse: do as she saysDON’T chit-chat with other students during an operation if not scrubbedDON’T touch instruments unless given explicit instruction to do soDON’T look bored no matter how long and tedious the operation is.POST-OPERATIVE ROUNDIf asked to present a patient on post-op rounds, don’t panic. Start bystating the procedure the patient had and then use the following list ofthings that you should be interested in post-operatively:• General clinical status of patient (alert, vomiting or in pain?)• Examination (in particular, wound site, chest, calves and bowelsounds)• Vital signs (look at trends as opposed to single values)• Fluid charting and input–output balance (is the patient producingurine?)• Stomas and drains (function and contents)• Post-operative blood results• Drug chart (receiving appropriate medications in the appropriatedosages?)Have gloves for everyone handy in your pockets. Always be the first oneto pick up the nursing chart and make a show of checking the vitals.Ask if wounds need to be observed, and if so, take the initiative toremove the dressing yourself (don’t forget gloves!). Have yourstethoscope handy as surgeons rarely carry one!7