The Next Era in GI Surgery BioDynamixTM

AnastomosisThe Colon Ring

Clinical Training Team

OPERATING ROOMEtiquette

Topics to be Discussed:

• Overview of operating room

• Contacting and in-servicing OR personnel

• OR team and circulating nurse responsibility

• Talking and traffic in the OR

• Protecting the sterile field

• Patient privacy

• Knowledge of product

• Selling of product

• Sales and Clinical representative non-compliance

The Operating Room

Operating rooms are inaccessible to the average person…and for good reasons!

This is a place where life and death decisions are routinely made, liability risks are high, and dedicated, busy people are working together, sometimes at high speed under strict rules which they don't have time to explain to an outsider.

The facility and the surgical team simply cannot afford to have someone in the room who does not know how to follow sterile procedure or understand patient privacy regulations and a myriad of other written and unwritten rules.

• Access as an observer in the OR is by invitation only, and you must know the proper decorum and protocol ahead of time to avoid embarrassing or dangerous mistakes.

Observing in the OR – A Good Idea!

Contacting OR Personnel

Unscheduled meetings in facilities are usually discouraged.

• When a surgeon has requested your presence it is still important that you contact the clinical coordinator for that specialty prior to arriving at the hospital.

• The coordinator will ensure your name is on the roster for admission to the Operating room.

• Checking the facilities’ policies regarding vendors will help in preventing any problems that may arise upon your arrival.

In-Servicing the OR Staff

If a product is being used for the first time at a new facility, plan an in-service prior to the scheduled procedure.

The OR Team – Circulating Nurse

The circulating nurse is in charge of the room.

She/he has the responsibility to assess the patient’s needs, to function as the “patient’s advocate” and to anticipate the needs of the surgical and anesthesia teams.

Each OR team member is responsible for assuring

the patient’s safety comes first.

Talking in the Operating Room

Keep conversation to a minimum.

• Conversations should be kept pertinent, essential, and always professional .

• Be sensitive to challenges the surgeon and surgical team may be experiencing.

• Turn off your cell phone…no talking or texting on cell phone.

Remember – you are a guest!

• Wear surgical attire properly.

• Stand away at least 4 ft from the sterile field. This includes the back table, mayo tray, and the draped surgical field.

• Stand at least 2 to 3 feet away from any sterile member of the surgical team.

• Even if you have permission to take pictures, do not lean over the sterile field with your camera.

• If you need to point at things in the sterile field use a laser pointer.

• Do not touch any part of the sterile field.

• Do not open any sterile products– especially your product .

Protecting the Sterile Field

Traffic in the OR

• Do not enter into the OR until the patient is prepped and draped.

• Persons moving within or around a sterile field should do so in a manner to maintain the sterile field & movement should be kept to a minimum.

• When it is necessary to move around a functioning OR, you should face the sterile field at all times.

• One should never take a pathway between two sterile fields.

• Entry into and exit from a surgical room should be done only when absolutely necessary. Doors to the operating rooms should be kept closed to maintain positive pressure in the OR.

Patient’s Privacy

• You must never divulge a patient’s name and situation to anyone who is not directly involved with their care.

• It is not acceptable to discuss the cases you are involved with in the hospital elevator, cafeteria, lobby, hallways, or anywhere else where a lack of privacy may be an issue. You never know who may overhear your conversation and/or what their relationship is to the patient involved.

Know Your Product

It is essential that the sales/clinical representative have extensive knowledge of how their product works.

Be approachable to the staff if questions should arise regarding the product.

Selling in the OR

• Most facilities have strict guidelines on soliciting and/or the distribution of literature on their property.

• Representatives must maintain a professional attitude

and must not exhibit persistent aggressiveness or abusive,

vulgar, or disruptive language or behavior.

• Surgeons may become irritated and complain to management regarding “selling” while they are operating.

Representative Noncompliance

Most facilities give a non-compliant representative three progressive discipline plans:

• First offense: Representative will receive a verbal warning.

• Second offense: Representative’s Regional/ National Sales Manager will be notified of the incident and shall be requested to take corrective action.

• Third Offense: Representative and Company may be prohibited in conducting business at the facility.

In Summary

Sales and clinical representatives provide nurses, physicians, and technicians with some of the information which they need in order to keep up with the changing technology of surgical instrumentation and equipment.

Following the protocols of each facility, displaying a professional demeanor, and adhering to OR etiquette will allow you to establish a meaningful, excellent rapport with each facilities’ personnel.

Ask for permission…

instead of asking for forgiveness.

The End

THANK YOU!