"Each failure brings you one step closer to success."
• The superfluous instrument. Nothing may get a scrub nurse's Irish up more
than when a surgeon insists on getting an instrument that isn't readily
available and isn't listed on the case card. A trip to the central pro-
cessing department is necessary only to find that the instrument has
to be washed and flashed. Oy vey! More tantrums. When the venerat-
ed instrument is finally manifested, the attending decides not to use it.
What is the nurse to do? You guessed it. Chill. Recognize that in the
heat of battle, options change and the initial course of action has to be
modified. Surgeons are human and far from infallible. Better to suffer
from freezer burn and stay collected than to boil. Besides, at least we
know where to find that instrument in the future!
• The phone calls. Perhaps nothing is more irksome to a circulating nurse
than fielding phone calls for the surgeon, most of which have absolute-
ly no clinical relevance. Envision this: The IV bags have run dry and
the motorized shaver has become schizophrenic. Just then, Surgeon
X's phone rings. Despite the lack of instrumentation and fluid, the cir-
culator is asked to answer the call, only to find out that it is a confir-
mation of your favorite surgeon's drum lesson. Other classic urgent
phone calls: trade confirmations from a stockbroker, hair salon
appointments and inquiries regarding dance lessons.
We all gots to chill
When we are in the moment, we have clarity and can act from our
higher selves. We all gots to chill this new year. Our coworkers and
patients will indeed benefit. Now if you will excuse me, I am
off to my 7 p.m. pottery class. My circulating nurse confirmed the
time.
OSM
Dr. Kelly (johndak4@gmail.com) is an orthopedic surgeon/ sports-shoulder
specialist who practices in Philadelphia, Pa.
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