Intraoperative nursing activities performed by surgical technologists

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Surgical Technology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Delegation of intraoperative nursing activities is common in surgical settings.
• Surgical technologists (STs) play a crucial role in the operating room (OR).
• Understanding the scope of STs' responsibilities is vital for efficient OR management and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intraoperative nursing activities performed by surgical technologists (STs).
• To determine how patient risk levels (low-risk vs. high-risk) influence the frequency of STs performing specific tasks.
• To analyze STs' roles within the framework of intraoperative nursing competencies.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 343 OR directors, perioperative nurses, and STs.
• Participants represented rural, community, and medical center hospitals.
• Data were analyzed to identify frequently and infrequently performed activities by STs and the impact of patient risk.

Main Results:

• STs frequently perform tasks related to surgical counts, sterile field maintenance, and equipment/supply management.
• STs infrequently perform activities such as patient transportation, teaching, medication administration, OR environment management, patient monitoring, and upholding patients' rights.
• Patient risk level significantly affects the frequency of STs performing transportation, teaching, sterile field, OR environment, and patients' rights activities.

Conclusions:

• The scope of practice for STs varies based on the complexity and risk associated with surgical procedures.
• STs are integral to core OR functions but have limited involvement in patient-centered activities beyond direct surgical support.
• Further research can optimize role delineation and training for STs to enhance surgical team efficiency and patient outcomes.