Why Surgical Technologists Are Essential in Modern Healthcare

Table of Contents

Introduction

The healthcare sector today is a sophisticated, highly specialized, and multifaceted industry that requires efficiency, precision, and cooperative effort in order to achieve the desired results regarding the welfare of patients. For each operation, there is a well-orchestrated team of experts who ensure the safety of a patient and the successful completion of the operation. Surgical technologists, while being one of the members of the team, have an essential function that is often devalued.

Surgical technologists, also known as “scrub techs” or “operating room technologists,” are responsible for providing direct assistance to surgeons, creating and maintaining an aseptic environment, and also handling and arranging surgical instruments and all other equipment necessary for the operation. The efficiency and order of an operation, as well as the safety and outcome of the surgery, depend largely on the performance of surgical technologists.

This article examines the critical functions, responsibilities, and influence of surgical technologists on surgical teams and why they are an indispensable component of contemporary healthcare.

The Role of a Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists are critical to the surgical team and also to the community as a whole. He or she has multiple responsibilities across all the surgical essential functions: pre-, intra-, and postoperative surgical care.

Preoperative Duties:

Each operating room has to be prepared, and all the surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment have to be sterile and in place before the operation begins.
Ensure surgical instruments comply with the operating surgeon’s preferences.
Assist with patient positioning and draping to preserve sterile fields.

Intraoperative Duties:

Efficiently pass instruments, sutures, and other surgical tools to the surgeon.
Anticipate surgeon needs and quickly adapt to alterations during the surgery.
Supervise the sterile fields to preserve aseptic conditions.
Support with robotic and minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery.

Postoperative Duties:

Assist in cleaning and preparing the operating room for the next procedures.
Ensure instruments are sterilized and contaminated materials are disposed of properly.
Keep surgical notes for the team and hospital in the required format.

Their role demands commitment, precision, and a thorough understanding of surgical procedures. Without surgical technologists, the operating room would lack coordination and efficiency, and most importantly, it would lack safety.

Evolution of the Surgical Technologist’s Role

The role of surgical technology evolved in the last 100 years. Surgical assistants received informal training, and it was often in hospitals or the military. During World War II, the demand for trained personnel in operating rooms increased, which led to the formal training of surgical technicians.

By the start of the 1950s, the outlines of various professions had started to take form. Uniform professionalism had to be developed, which meant training programs still had to be developed. Nowadays, surgical technologists receive an education that is nothing short of extensive, which includes accredited programs, clinical training, and the certification that is a prerequisite to practice in the United States as a surgical technologist, that is, the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, as well as the NVQ/Diploma in Perioperative Support in the United Kingdom.

The all-important development of surgical practices, such as the introduction of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques and the transition from open techniques, meant that surgical technology competences had to be developed. In relation to this, modern technologists are expected to handle intricate pieces of machinery, cutting-edge digital imaging technology, and robotic surgical instruments in performance of their healthcare duties.

Contribution to Patient Safety

Surgical technologists are the backbone of a constructive aspect of modern healthcare, which is patient safety. Surgical technologists form and sustain sterile environments, conduct and cleanse instruments of potential infection, and ensure that no infection is contrived from the instruments and techniques employed.

Key Safety Contributions:

Sterile field maintenance: Prevents surgical site infections, reducing postoperative complications.
Instrument counts: Prevent retained surgical instruments, a critical patient safety concern.
Monitoring for contamination: Technologists identify potential breaches in sterile techniques.
Emergency support: Quick and accurate responses in the event of complications or equipment failure.

Their vigilance influences the outcomes of surgery. Research indicates that well-trained surgical technologists not only enhance the safety of surgeries but also reduce complication rates and improve the effectiveness of surgeries.

Maintaining the Operating Room Efficiency

The role of surgical technologists is paramount to the efficiency of operating rooms during surgeries. By performing their duties correctly, surgical technologists allow the surgeons to center their attention solely on the patient.

The surgical techs contribute to efficiency by:

Keeping instruments in the correct order and within their radius.
Anticipating the next instruments and the following steps of the surgeon and of the other members of the surgical team.
Controlling the sophisticated tools and ensuring that they are working properly during the surgery.
Communicating with the surgical team to prevent any pause or interruptions during the surgery.

The contribution of surgical technologists to the workflow allows the surgical team to finish the operation in the designated time and reduce the probability of complications from the surgery by enhancing the overall surgical procedure.

Collaboration with Cutting-edge Surgical Technology

Contemporary surgical procedures utilize AI, robotics, and digital operating room technologies. Surgical technologists are responsible for performing the calibration, operation, and system maintenance for these technologies.

For instance:

Robotic surgery: Surgical technologists prepare the robotic arms, control surgical instruments, and collaborate with the surgeon during the surgical procedure.
Digital Imaging Systems: They are responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of cameras, surgical monitors, and other equipment for minimally invasive surgeries.
AI in surgery: AI tools assist surgeons in procedure navigation, preoperative planning, and intraoperative monitoring.

With rapid advancements in technology, surgical technologists are compelled to refine their skills regularly, ensuring the integration of technology and surgical practice to provide optimal care to patients.

Educational Requirement, Certification & Role of Professional Standards

Surgical technologists have to go through formal school in which they learn the practice of surgery and how to meet the standard of care.

Typical Educational Path:

Surgical technology programs that are accredited (certificate, diploma, or associate degree).
Clinical training in real operating rooms.
Certification exams: CST in the USA, NVQ/Diploma in the UK.
Continuing education to maintain certification and keep up with technological advances.

Standard of Professional Practice:

Following sterile procedures and control of infection.
Moral obligation to the patient and the surgical team.
Participation in the team and cooperation.

Vincent’s professional standard and the certification of the surgical technologist peg the surgical technologist down as an integral part of the surgical team, instead of just a support role.

Value of Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists hold an essential position as they foster patient safety, enhance the effectiveness of surgical procedures, and facilitate the incorporation of technology in healthcare. Coordinated activities in surgical suites are the responsibility of surgical technologists.

Key Takeaways:

Safety: Handle and control instruments to maintain sterile fields and avoid complications.
Efficiency: Support surgeons, anticipate their needs, and control the activities of a surgical team to enhance the flow of a surgical set.
Technology integration: Operate and maintain advanced surgical systems.
Collaboration: Address the communication differences between surgeons, nurses, and anesthetists.
Career stability: The demand continues to increase because of the number of surgical procedures performed globally.

Surgical technologists integrate skills and technology with hands-on patient care and are consequently a vital part of the healthcare team.
Read More Blog: History and Evolution of Surgical Technology

(FAQs)

What is the role of a surgical technologist in contemporary surgery?

A surgical technologist is responsible for the safety of the patient by supporting the operating surgeon, controlling the surgical instruments, and regulating the sterile field, which is essential for the success of the operation.

In what way are surgical technologists and surgical nurses different?

The surgical technologist is assigned to the surgical instruments and sterile procedures, while the surgical nurse is in charge of the patient and the surgical team.

What are the requirements to work as a surgical technologist?

A person is expected to graduate and obtain a certification from a surgical technology program accredited by the relevant authority to practice as a surgical technologist. In the USA, it is the CST, and in the UK, it is the NVQ/Diploma.

In what way do surgical technologists take part in the performance of robotic surgeries?

During minimally invasive robotic surgery, the surgical technologist is responsible for the preparation and operation of the robotic system as well as controlling the surgical instruments and assisting the surgeon.

What is the future of surgical technologists?

Surgical technologists are likely to see increased demand and more diversified opportunities with the increased use of robotics and AI technology in surgery.