Lalaine G.

Nadulpit November 4, 2020

BS Nursing 3A  NCM 112

SCRUB NURSE CIRCULATING NURSE

Scrub nurses and circulating nurses are also known as perioperative nurses as they are involved in patient care
before, during and after a procedure/ surgery.
Scrub nurses works directly with surgeons/doctors and Circulating nurses works on the perimeter of the
the medical team in the operating room. They have a operating room, monitoring patient care, ensuring that
role requiring anticipation, quick reaction and the room stays sterile and keeps track of instruments
conscientious observation as well as knowledge of and sponges. They also manage the flow of
anatomy and of operative procedures. information and coordinated the needs of the surgical
team with other care providers necessary for the
completion of the surgery.
Before the operation: Before an operation:

 Ensures that the circulating nurse has checked  Checks all equipment for proper functioning.
the equipment.  Arranges tools according to use and helps the
 Ensures that the operating room/ theatre has scrub nurse with setting up the theater.
been cleaned before the trolley is set.  Assists with counts and records.
 Prepares the instruments and equipment needed  Assists in positioning the patient in anesthesia
in the procedure/ operation. administration.
 Uses sterile technique for scrubbing, gowning
and gloving.
 Receives sterile equipment via circulating nurse
using sterile technique.
 Performs initial sponges, instruments and needle
count, checks with the circulating nurse.
 Perform assisted gowning and gloving to the
surgeon and assistant surgeon.
 Assemble the drapes according to use. They also
assist in draping the patient aseptically according
to routine procedure.
During an operation: During an operation:
 Maintains sterility throughout the procedure.  Circulating nurse remains in the theater
 Awareness of the patient’s safety. throughout the operation.
 Adhere to the policy regarding sponge,  Replenishes and records sponge and instruments
instruments and surgical needle counts. used.
 Arrange the instruments on the mayo table and  Watches out for any break in aseptic technique.
on the back table.  Documents the procedure.
 Pass the instrument to the surgeon in a decisive
and positive manner.
 Notifies the circulating nurse if additional
instruments are needed.
 Save and care for tissue specimen according to
the hospital policy.
After an operation: After an operation:
 Undertake count of sponges and instruments with  Assists with final sponge and instruments count.
circulating nurse.  Signs the theater register.
 Informs the surgeon of count result.  Ensures specimen are properly labeled and
 Clears away instrument and equipment. signed.
 Helps in applying the dressing after operation.  Helps to prepare the patient for the recovery room.
 Prepares the patient for recovery room.  Completes the documentation.
 Completes documentation.  Assists the scrub nurse in taking the instruments
to the washroom.
 Ensures that the theater is ready for the next case.
Reference: Scrub and circulating nurse. (2018, January 22). Share and Discover Knowledge on SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/vijayvandali/scrub-and-circulating-nurse