The role of OT technicians in the operating room can be defined as the sum of the care services which tend to identify and meet the needs of the surgical patient. Individual patient care is based on a conceptual model, developed from the care process and established standards.
The particularity of care in the operating room lies in the fact that the person who gets operated is dependent on care teams and technology. To provide quality services to the patients, one needs to have the required training that can be gained through Diploma in Operation Theatre Technician to become an experienced technician. The presence of an OT technician in an operation theatre is short but very intense.
ROLES
The OT Technician is brought in alternately to exercise the following 3 roles:
- Circulating nurse.
- Nurse instrumentalist.
- Nurse anesthesiologist.
Circulating nurse
Their action is alongside the operated person, and the surgical team in the operating room. They collect information, analyze, plan, organize, evaluate and provide care in relation to the needs of the person operated on.
The nursing skills and knowledge of surgical techniques possessed by OT Technicians allow them to foresee and anticipate the needs of nurse instrumentalists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.
This expert organizes, manages, uses and controls the equipment of the operating room, to allow the surgical act to be performed in optimal conditions. It participates in hygiene, asepsis, and safety measures.
His freedom to move around the operating room allows him to coordinate all the activities in this room, in relation to ancillary or external services.
Nurse instrumentalist
Their action takes place in the protected area of the operating field. An OT Technician serves as a member of the operating team. His knowledge of surgical techniques allows him to plan, manage, control all surgical equipment, and anticipate the actions of operators, in order to allow the intervention to take place under the best conditions. He observes and transmits meaningful information to team members.
Nurse anesthesiologist
Their action takes place near the patient and the anesthetist at the start of anesthesia, during the procedure, and when the patient wakes up.
In particular, he:
- Performs pre and postoperative visits,
- Receives the patient in the operating room, checks his identity and the various files,
- Offers him psychological help,
- Prepares the equipment and drugs,
- Assists the anesthesiologist in the induction and intubation phase,
- Participates in observation of the patient during the recovery phase,
- Assists the anesthetist during the recovery phase and participates in transferring the patient to the recovery room,
- Is able to monitor a patient in the recovery room and detect situations that require physician intervention.
- Is able to perform basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures if necessary (external cardiac massage, etc.)
Other actions
Through their specific training, OT technicians are able to:
- Guarantee the hygiene of the premises in relation to the specific requirements of the Operation Theatre,
- Guarantee the application of adequate sterilization methods,
- Ensure management, use, maintenance of operating theaters, equipment and stocks,
- Manage the operating program.
- Manage and organize the work of the various employees (nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, secretaries, etc.),
Participate in actions such as prevention, education, health training, initial and continuing training, research in medical care.