Introduction: The operating room is a complex environment in which individual team members perform specific tasks according to their role. A simulation activity was created to introduce medical students on the surgery clerkship to issues relating to patient safety, infection control, and regulatory requirements. Methods: This activity takes place prior to general surgery rotation operative experiences, and addresses the need for students to practice roles they will perform while participating in patient care. The activity includes a simulated operation, an assessment, and a scripted debriefing. Among other tasks, students practice safe patient transfer and monitoring, donning sterile garb, preparing the surgical site, and being active participants in a sign-in and time-out. Students are assessed on assigned tasks, their ability to maintain sterility, and the degree to which they engage with their team. Results: Students reported the simulation helped them better understand how they could become involved on their first day in the operating room. Students also reported they were more confident when in the operating room. This finding also extended to students who had previously been in the operating room during a prior OB/GYN rotation. Discussion: Patient safety is paramount when in the operating room, and this simulation activity fills a current gap in student's practical knowledge as they prepare to enter their surgery clerkship. Giving medical students the information and skills needed to be safe and effective members of the operating team prior to entering the operating room is of benefit to the surgical team, students, and patients.
Perform hand hygiene. Fail Don gloves. Clean peri-urethral area using provided wipes or CHG. Remove gloves. Perform hand hygiene. Place foley kit between the patient's legs (Arrow toward catheter site). Open the foley kit maintaining sterility at all times. Fail Don sterile gloves. This should be done completely off sterile field. Place underpad beneath patient (maintaining sterility at all times). Fail Position fenestrated drape (maintaining sterility at all times). Fail Saturate 3 foam swab sticks in povidone iodine. Attach the water filled syringe to the inflation port (DO NOT TEST BALLOON). Dispense lubricant into tray. Remove the wrap from the foley catheter and lubricate the catheter. Female: Using the nondominant hand, separate the labia majora and labia minora as widely as possible to visualize the urinary meatus. Keep separated throughout the procedure. Using the dominant (sterile) hand and a downward stroke, cleanse the furthest labia majora, discard swab stick. Furthest from the individual inserting. Using the dominant (sterile) hand and a downward stroke, cleanse the closest labia majora, discard the swab stick. Closest to the individual inserting. Using the dominant (sterile) hand and a downward stroke, cleanse the middle area, discard the swab stick. Please return completed form to the appropriate person(s).
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