ST171 Operating Room Application I (4 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): A grade of C (2.0) or better in ST115 
This course is designed to augment the classroom theory presented in ST170  and provides the opportunity to repeatedly scrub, gown, and glove themselves and others, reprocess surgical supplies, activate the flash sterilization cycle, drape and set up a back table and mayo stand with instruments and basic supplies appropriate for a laparotomy procedure, accept and label medications, drape a patient and take down the drapes and instruments following the conclusion of a procedure. Passing of the Skills Assessment of basic competence of aseptic technique, the setting up of a mayo stand and back table, and draping of the patient is required.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe how infection control practices are implemented in the surgical setting to ensure safe patient care.
2. Identify the basic principles of aseptic technique.
3. Describe the various means used to disinfect, sterilize and monitor surgical instruments and supplies for use in the OR.
4. Demonstrate the correct method of scrubbing, gowning, and gloving self and other members of the surgical team.
5. Demonstrate the proper methods to transfer and safely position the patient.
6. Describe and demonstrate the preparation of a sterile surgical field, including the proper technique to maintain sterility when receiving or removing equipment and supplies from the field.
7. Describe the purpose and use of surgical drapes and demonstrate proper draping techniques for surgical equipment and the surgical patient for a variety of surgical procedures.
8. Correctly prepare and handle surgical supplies.
9. Identify basic surgical instruments by type, function, and name; demonstrate the proper care, safe handling and assembly of surgical instruments. Classifications include cutting, grasping, clamping, retracting, probing, suturing, scoping, dilating, and dissecting.
10. Identify suture materials and demonstrate proper preparation and handling techniques.
11. Demonstrate correct handling of needles and syringes.
12. Describe common means of establishing hemostasis.
13. Demonstrate the proper care of handling of specimens.
14. Describe the role of surgical technologist in responding to life-threatening emergencies in the operating room.