AST Creating the Surgical Environment

C S T s A N D C S F A s I N T H E S U R G I C A L E N V I R O N M E N T 2 Surgeons, the surgical first assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis and other technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. These functions include, but are not limited to, positioning of the patient, suturing and closure of body planes and skin, and the application of wound dressings. CSTS AND CSFAS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN CASE MANAGEMENT. The CST is responsible for three phases of surgical patient care, or surgical case management, with minimal direction or supervision from other surgical team members. Some duties of the CST in each phase of case management include: Preoperative Case Management ▲ Scrubbing and donning sterile gown and gloves ▲ Gathering necessary equipment and supplies ▲ Opening sterile supplies ▲ Donning personal protective equipment ▲ Organizing the sterile field for use ▲ Counting necessary items ▲ Assisting team members during entry to the sterile field ▲ Exposing the operative site with sterile drapes Intraoperative Case Management ▲ Passing instrumentation, equipment and supplies to the surgeon and surgical assistant ▲ Preparing and handling pharmaceuticals ▲ Predicting needs of the patient and surgeon and preparing necessary items ▲ Counting necessary items ▲ Caring for specimens ▲ Applying dressings Postoperative Case Management ▲ Maintaining the sterile field until the patient is transported ▲ Removing used instruments, equipment and supplies following use ▲ Preparing the OR for the next patient