Preoperative Services

Surgical nurses at Einstein Philadelphia play a critical role in all levels of patient care. They are the ones who meet patients in the holding area, ask and answer questions, and reassure patients so they know what to expect. They verify the patient’s identity and medical history and ensure they are safe on the table. They check the integrity of all surgical equipment and supplies and ensure everything in the operating room is ready for any possible surgical scenario. They keep the surgical team informed of any X-rays, implants, allergies and medications that may guide or affect the procedure and document any implants or medications used. They are responsible for the safe handling of patient specimens and ensuring those patients come out of surgery safely.

Operating room nurses must be extremely adaptable, as they could see patients with anything from gunshot trauma, to spinal injury to transplant on any given day. Nurses in this unit are required to take a perioperative course, complete specialized exams and work with a preceptor for several months.

Nurses in this unit have played integral roles in patients’ perioperative care including the prevention of pressure injuries, trach and peg tube injuries, and infections. They regularly present posters on initiatives like these at Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) conferences. They have weekly in-services to review the newest technologies and techniques being used in the operating room.

This unit prides itself on having a culture of transparency, where anyone can speak up and be heard on issues of patient safety. Perioperative nurses are frequently included in interdisciplinary meetings, committees and initiatives and have the strong support of other departments.