Module 3: Operating Room Team

🎯 Module Objectives 

1. Describe the roles and expertise of all perioperative team members. 
2. Outline how interprofessional collaboration supports team functioning in the OR. 
3. Explain effective communication in the perioperative environment. 
4.  Describe features of high-performance teams and how interprofessional team members support safe patient outcomes. 

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📖 Required Readings 

Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery 

16th Ed. Ch 1 p. 12-16 (start at Perioperative nursing roles) 
17th Ed. Ch 1 p. 1-10 Ch 1 p. 11-15 (start at Perioperative nursing roles) 

ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses, 16th Ed., 2023

Perioperative Registered Nurse Practice Competencies 1-6. (pages 1-12 to 1-24)

 

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Introduction

The OR team, keeping the perioperative patient at the centre of surgical care, collectively creates positive surgical outcomes that are possible because of the work they perform together. Team members in the OR are formally trained in their respective, self-regulating professions and have specific advanced training to practice in their surgical specialty. Each of these interprofessional members has a unique focus on patient care, yet all must develop the competencies to work effectively as a team. This is challenging as these teams are flexible, and members may rotate to work in different teams daily. 

In this module, you become familiar with the OR team members and their roles, explore interprofessional collaboration and communication, determine how OR culture impacts teams and patient outcomes, and describe features of high-performance teams.