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Surgical Nursing
It is essential that technicians have knowledge of routine surgical procedures and related equipment, including surgeries in these categories:
- Ovariohysterectomy - dogs and cats
- Cesarean section - all common species
- Orthopedic procedures
- Orchiectomy - all common species
- Tail docking
- Onychectomy - dogs and cats
- Laparotomies - all common species
- Dystocias in common species
- Dehorning - cattle and goats
- Prolapsed organs - common types, species, and incidence*
Students must have participated in surgeries in these categories:
- Ovariohysterectomy - dog, cat
- Orchiectomy - dog, cat and other common species
Patient Management
Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species.
- Properly identify patients and surgical procedures*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will use medical records and patient identification methods to assure that the patient and scheduled procedures are correct.
- Patient assessment:
- Organize medical records/consent forms*
- Review pre-operative evaluation*
- Evaluate current patient status*
- Organize and implement anesthesia*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will obtain the patient's vital signs, note any specific physical abnormalities, ensure pre-surgical tests have been completed and report the patient assessment to the veterinarian.
- Palpate the urinary bladder and express it if needed*
- Prepare surgical site using appropriate aseptic techniques*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will identify the appropriate area of hair to be removed and select appropriate methods to reduce microbial flora on the skin in the area of surgical site in order to decrease the chance of surgical wound contamination.
- Position patient for common procedures*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will position the patient appropriately to provide maximum convenience for the surgeon and maximum safety and benefit for the patient.
- Provide surgical assistance:
- Demonstrate proper operating room conduct and asepsis*
- Assist with care of exposed tissues and organs*
- Properly handle and pass instruments and supplies*
- Operate and maintain suction and cautery machines*
- Understand the principles of operation and maintenance of fiber optic equipment*
- Record and maintain operative/surgical records*
- Perform basic suturing techniques
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and utilize appropriate aseptic techniques to assist operative personnel in order to provide maximum safety and benefit to the patient.
- Coordinate pain management with the anesthesia/surgical team*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will assure that anesthetic and post-operative pain management protocols are appropriate to provide maximum safety and benefit to the patient.
- Provide post-operative care:
- Pain management*
- Fluid therapy*
- Adequate nutrition*
- Wound management*
- Bandaging*
- Discharge instructions*
- Suture removal*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.
Procedural Management
Skill: Understand and provide the appropriate instruments, supplies and environment to maintain asepsis during surgical procedures.
- Prepare surgical instruments and supplies*
- Prepare gowns, masks, gloves, and drapes*
- Operate and maintain autoclaves*
- Sterilize instruments and supplies using appropriate methods*
- Perform pre-surgical set-up*
- Identify and know proper use for instruments*
- Identify common suture materials, types, and sizes*
- Provide operating room sanitation and care*
- Maintain proper operating room conduct and asepsis*
- Perform post-surgical clean-up (e.g., equipment, instruments, room, proper disposal of hazardous medical waste)*
Decision-making abilities: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be performed, the veterinary technician will properly select, wrap and sterilize appropriate instruments and supplies and prepare and maintain the surgical environment to ensure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.