This week I've started working in the OR. Let me be the first to say it's true, they do eat their young. I had hoped that yet again I would be that exception to that (I seem to had this un-conveyed notion, that I'm an exception to just about everything. Why? I haven't the slightest), however, no such things are true and I am just another "number" per say. Besides the point, the staff in this OR is attempting to make me their next meal. That may be a bit of an exaggeration.
The OR is a place where everything is based on persision, effectiveness, and the ability to achieve the best medicine for your "prepped field", or what some people like to call patients. Surgeons are an entirely different brand of people. In fact, each individual OR staff member has their own stereotyped category. Allow me to brake it down. Surgeons: the doctor that preforms the surgery, they are either removing, adding, braking and repairing, or exploring inside the body. Surgeons usually are "intelligent, conscientious, creative, courageous, and demonstrate perseverance on behalf of their patients. Being a good surgeon is a life-long process, and must thrive in the surgical disciplines and seek out all opportunities to go to the operating room. Surgeons must also be flexible as the surgeon’s day is rarely predictable. This volatile environment must be seen as an enjoyable challenge". Then you have the Anesthesiologist, or best known as the "sleep doctors". The best way I know how to describe them are, anal, controlled, quick acting, possess exceptional judgement and generally excel in clear communication. They are the ones controlling the patients airway and in a sense are the lifeline of the patient until surgery is over. They have the task of breathing for the patient and are able to give the surgeon the "go" to cut, and are the last ones to make the call if the patient is able to safely breath on their own and continue the recovery period. Then you have your OR- RN's. They are a whole other species. Here is my complete and utter bias opinion. THEY DON'T DO CRAP! Okay that may have been a bit harsh. I know they make sure everyone else is doing their job, and perhaps they do all of the legal crap with the charting, but I want to know who's hands are in the grime and who's making sure everything else is taking care of. Awh, yes, that is the OR techs and Peri-Op Assists. Now, let me explain before you jump all over me. the scrub tech is working hand in hand with the surgeon, in other words, essentially is an extension of the surgeons brain. That to me is the real work in a surgery. To follow is non the less the peri-op support tech who makes sure the patient is safely on the bed to go to the PACU and prepares the room for the next surgery. So there you have it, the OR in a nut shell.
Now you can imagine with all those diverse personalities there is bound to be conflict. Like any work place or structured environment someone is bound to feel more privileged about something which naturally leads to problems.
I'm sorry to say that I've yet to fully develop my opinion of the dynamics of the OR and it will be a process before I am able to conger up anything profound. In the mean time, rest assure that I am loathing it and will continue to analyze the vigorous work in the OR.
If I'm honest about what I had intended to write, it was NOTHING like what came out and as I type I'm debating on whether or not there will be an additional post made today. I would like to say yes, but we know from my track record that I am far from consistent on this thing and probably won't be able to keep any promises about writing on this thing.
One thing I can promise however, is that I am sure to continue the OR happenings.
I'm still writing. Mostly because I want to get something off my chest. I must start a new post, only after I ponder on how to articulate myself well about what seems to be weighing ever so heavy on me.
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