How’s Surge Tech school going?

Hey everyone! As a surgical technologist student, one of the most crucial and exciting parts of my training is mastering the art of surgical setup. When you're in the operating room (or a realistic training lab like mine!), every second counts, and a perfectly organized instrument setup is absolutely essential for patient safety and surgical efficiency. It's not just about placing tools on a table; it's a meticulously choreographed process. My journey to mastering the "surgical tech set up" began with understanding the surgeon's preference card – this is our bible! It details everything from the specific surgical instruments needed, to glove sizes, and even how the drapes should be positioned. Once I know what's required, the real work begins. We start by gathering all the necessary supplies, including sterile blue drapes, several packs of sponges, and various tubing for suction or irrigation. Then comes the critical step of establishing and maintaining the sterile field. This means donning our blue scrubs, mask, and gloves correctly, followed by a sterile gown. We then carefully open sterile packages onto the back table and Mayo stand, ensuring nothing compromises the sterility. This is where those neat arrangements you see in our training lab photos come to life! For the instrument setup itself, organization is key. I've learned to categorize instruments based on their function: cutting (like scissors), grasping (forceps), retracting (retractors), dissecting, and suturing. On the back table, often covered with a green mat or blue drapes, I arrange them logically. For example, all cutting instruments go together, then grasping, and so on. The Mayo stand, positioned closer to the patient, holds the most frequently used instruments in an easily accessible manner, often in a metal tray. This systematic approach helps the surgeon anticipate where every tool will be, minimizing delays. One of the biggest challenges, and also the most rewarding, is learning to perform instrument counts accurately. Before, during, and after a procedure, we meticulously count all surgical instruments, sponges, and needles to ensure nothing is left inside the patient. It’s a huge responsibility, and practice in the training lab has been invaluable for building that muscle memory and attention to detail. My advice to anyone considering or currently in surgical tech school is this: embrace every opportunity to practice your setup. Ask questions, observe experienced techs, and visualize the procedure as you’re organizing your surgical instruments. It truly is an art form that directly impacts lives. Loving every second of this journey and excited to keep learning and perfecting my setup skills!