scrub nurse
Operating room aide
A scrub nurse is a surgical nurse who works directly at the operating table, passing instruments to surgeons and maintaining the sterile field.
The name comes from the rigorous hand-scrubbing required before entering the operating room.
Scrub nurses handle surgical tools, sutures, and supplies throughout procedures: The scrub nurse anticipated the surgeon's next request.
Precise surgical knife
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- retractorTool exposing surgical field
- hemostatClamp stopping vessel flow
- clampDevice for holding tight
sutures · needle · scissors · gauze · sponge · swab · drape · tray
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- autoclavePressurized steam sterilization chamber
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
germ-free · decontamination · hand hygiene · sterile field · contamination · gloves · gown · mask
Controlled cut into tissue
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- hemostasisProcess that stops bleeding
- cauteryBurning flesh medically
- ligatureCord for binding
closure · laparotomy · arthroscopy · procedure · operating room · surgical team · surgeon · anesthesia
Joint intellectual work
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- assistTo give support
support · efficiency · reliability · synchronization · partnership · surgeon · anesthesiologist · handoff
Freedom from medical harm
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- professionalismWorkplace conduct standards
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
compassion · responsibility · competence · certification · training · perioperative · healthcare · clinical
scalpel
Precise surgical knife
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- retractorTool exposing surgical field
- hemostatClamp stopping vessel flow
clamp · sutures · needle · scissors · gauze · sponge · swab · drape · tray · count
asepsis
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- autoclavePressurized steam sterilization chamber
sterilization · germ-free · decontamination · hand hygiene · sterile field · contamination · gloves · gown · mask · surgical cap
incision
Controlled cut into tissue
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- hemostasisProcess that stops bleeding
- cauteryBurning flesh medically
ligature · closure · laparotomy · arthroscopy · procedure · operating room · surgical team · surgeon · anesthesia · patient
collaboration
Joint intellectual work
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- anticipationState of awaiting something
assist · support · efficiency · reliability · synchronization · partnership · surgeon · anesthesiologist · handoff · briefing
patient safety
Freedom from medical harm
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- professionalismWorkplace conduct standards
dedication · compassion · responsibility · competence · certification · training · perioperative · healthcare · clinical · specialty
- hospital staffdoctor, department head, surgeon, attending physician, physician
- Medical Staffdoctor, physician, surgeon, intern, resident
- OR personnelsurgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, first assistant, surgical resident
- sterile environmentcleanroom, operating room, OR, laminar flow hood, glovebox
scrub nursesurgeon
Physician who operates
chief surgeon · surgical resident · neurosurgeon · first assistant · cardiac surgeon
nurse, scrub, nursery, nursing, nursed, nurses, scrubbing, scrubs, scrubby