Final answer:
Surgical technologists in hospitals are required to be part of a pre-surgery "time out" for patient safety, confirming patient identity, procedure details, and reviewing critical concerns for surgery and recovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surgical technologist working in a hospital or facility that provides 24-hour care is usually required to participate in a "time out" before skin incision. This process involves the surgical team, which includes nurses, surgeons, anesthesia professionals, and any others involved in the care of the patient, reviewing key factors aloud. The essential elements include confirming patient identity, confirming that all team members have been introduced by name and role, ensuring the surgical site and procedure are correct, reviewing anticipated critical events, confirming that prophylactic antibiotics have been administered within 60 minutes before the incision is made, and ensuring that all essential imaging results for the correct patient are displayed in the operating room.
In addition, the surgical technologist, alongside the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, will review aloud key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient. This may cover critical and unexpected steps, operative duration, estimated blood loss, patient-specific concerns related to anesthesia, and the confirmation of sterility and equipment availability.
Working in such environments often requires performing essential tasks under stressful conditions and maintaining the utmost attention to detail to ensure patient safety and the success of surgical procedures. The Association of Surgical Technologists sets the standards for maintaining aseptic techniques, including creating and maintaining a sterile field, which are vital aspects of a surgical technologist’s responsibilities.