SURGICAL ETIQUETTE 

53 years old and 34 surgeries. Thank you for your detailed explanation and making the patient feel so at ease. Your work is so vital, and it's appreciated...as are you.

I personally have not had a surgery, but definitely know what it feels like when you feel like you are not included in a conversation. You feel like you are not wanted or do not even exist. Great topic! Keep doing what you are doing! 😄

This is a wonderful video. I just had a hysterectomy on Monday - at the age of 35, with no children... so needless to say I was terrified and emotional. I was doing my best to hold back any and all tears and I'm sure everyone could tell. All of the nurses, surgery techs, the anesthesiologist and his assistant were incredible. This is the first time I actually remember entering the OR, transferring to the other bed and actually being fully awake until the meds were inserted into my IV. Everyone was talking to me, joking with me and overall keeping the mood light. It really made all the difference. I woke up in the recovery room to the nurse beside me telling me that I was the rock star patient of the day and was released to go home within 45 minutes. The kindness shown was something I won't forget.

I had open heart surgery in June 2017 and hopefully will be starting Surgical Tech school in July. I remember being wheeled into the OR and the team being very upbeat and chatting with me. It was reassuring and so comforting hearing everyone doing their jobs, but being upbeat and not hearing any fear or doubt in their voices. I cant remember what was said...But i was not scared, I was informed, and I felt safe. Great video!

I recently had emergency surgery for trauma to my eye. I'm 49, and this was the first time I ever had surgery. I was scared to death. I expected it to be somber and impersonal, with little Interaction with the staff. When I first entered the room, I was engaged by the staff immediately. They were cheerfull, and reassuring and gave me little time in think of my situation. They very much made me feel like a part of their work world. For the medical professionals who watch this channel, please know that your reassurance and friendly attitude in times of pain and fear make a HUGE difference!! I am thankful for people who have the skills and personality to do what you do!!!

That quote is called The Golden Rule. Knowing it will hold you in good stead. Everything you said is so GREAT! I’ve been wheeled into the OR and I was very nervous. The minute one of the team started to talk to me, I relaxed. Excellent video!

I had a student with me one day and after I introduced myself to our patient, she told me she'd never seen another tech do that. I've been the patient so I know how it feels. Thank you for encouraging others in our field to do this to help our patients feel more comfortable!

I just had a right hemicolectomy about two weeks ago. At 68, it was my first experience with surgery. Most of what I remember before the surgery was in the preop room. I vaguely remember being wheeled down the hallway but that's it until I woke up in the recovery room in pain. I very much valued everyone's etiquette and caring even in the hospital recovering afterward. It is very healing to know a team is focused on getting you well and out of there. Thank you for doing these videos. I find them very interesting.

WOW!!! These is an amazing post.. I am so very happy you have taken up the reins and gone one step Beyond to explain the first moments upon entering the operating room. Many blessings to you and to those working along with you.♥️♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️

As someone who has had MULTIPLE surgical procedures and been in the OR multiple times, these are GREAT tips that I wish were followed all the time!!!

I am having spinal surgery in 2 weeks, and I am scared out of my skin. I have had surgery before, but no one in the OR did anything to help alleviate my fears. I hope that the people in the OR that I am going to be in do this to help me feel better. Shane, I appreciate you making this video. It really helps.

As a patient I really appreciate this video. I’ve had good and bad experiences leading up to being “knocked out.” Thankfully it’s the good experiences that stand out! It can be petrifying to enter that room, and faces willing to talk with you and put you at ease make all the difference.

+Surgical Tech Tips I've had numerous surgeries for various reasons, but one that has always stuck with me was when I broke my back, resulting in two herniated discs. For whatever reason, I was *super* nervous prior to surgery and when I got in the O.R. I started having an anxiety attack and crying. I'm not sure if it was a tech, or nurse, but they held my hand and let me squeeze their hand as the anesthesiologist worked quickly to calm me down and administer the anesthesia. I was super grateful for whomever that person was, and had never been so relieved to go to sleep. Thank you for being a great example of what surgical etiquette should look like.

You are so amazing and kind.

Shane, you have made quite a few videos. In my opinion, this is one of your more important and relevant topics. Bed-side manner as a medical professional is crucial. I have had surgery a few times and having an OR team with genuine concern for you and understanding your feeling of vulnerability, certainly puts you at ease. Great job!. Each video you upload makes me certain that being a Surgical Technologist is the career for me.

I can feel the warmth and love coming from you... Please feel free to mag for me know

I also had a positive experience in the OR everyone was engaging and telling me what they were doing, I remember it sounded like a noisy restaurant kitchen😅 on the Food Channels. They laughed😆

6 surgeries...NOT 1 TECH..ANYONE, tried having a conversation with me...had one almost break my arm rough housing me,said he was just hooking me up to something blah blah blah...another surgery ,IM SURE they freaking dropped me lol...briused shoulder and arm...they said I wasn't dropped ...ehh.. but I plan on being better than them when I become a tech! Thanks for all the videos been watching and learning what I can,I start school in January.

Thanks for the video. Very very much to the point. Just today have had a conversation with my colleague, an anaesthetic nurse, of how important it is not to talk of anything irrelevant, in front of a patient who is not asleep yet! They are terrified and I would be too. My ex husband had an eye surgery a few months ago (retinal detachment), under a block and some sedation, and was shocked of nurses conversations in theatre of personal things such as holidays, shopping etc, constantly thinking they are not paying attention to him. Mind you, I am a scrub/scout nurse too..

What a great video. Everyone working in an OR or even an ER should be required to view this.

I know this video is old, but I’m 20 and had two spinal fusion surgeries in the last year. They put me to sleep right after wheeling me into the OR both times without talking much. I was less scared for the second surgery; however, it still would have been nice to have some support. I’m in nursing school and am interested in working in the OR eventually. Will keep your tips in mind! :)

I've had 5 surgeries, my first surgery I was wide awake until the procedure. I was wheeled into the OR, moved onto the table, and had a few nurses talking to me. It was freezing and I was starting to get anxious so they got my warm blankets. I hated seeing the OR with all the machines, big lights, and everything I started crying and having a panic attack. They gave me something and then I woke up in post-op. Since that first surgery, I have been so anxious that I've requested lots of happy drugs while still in my room. I vaguely remember being wheeled through the hallway for my other surgeries. I don't mind having surgery but I always talk with my surgeon about giving me all the drugs they can beforehand.

Thank you for this video. Centers why we do what we do.

When I knew I had a rupture appendix, and I needed surgery I thought to myself, cool, awesome. In fact I wanted to stay awake for it operation, but the surgeon said no, so I was sad. I had no stress, and no fear. I thought the whole thing was pretty exciting. I had no problem with it, and everything went great. :) :) :)

LOVE this video! great topic

Hello to all...! Enjoying the videos from Koama, Zambian. Am highly of great benefit ... ( Am a Pre-Nurse By profession)

Thank you ! Videos are clear conscience and extremely informative ..

Just found your channel, great channel! Story of tech and nurse applies to what you stated. As the patient was laughing and joking with them, medical humor, prior to sleepy time. When they woke me in recovery, they were both there. It meant a lot.

The last OR was quiet with only one person who asked that I move from the bed to the OR table. Tried to have conversation with one of the tech and anesthesiologist but no response. Very cold experience. Very business like. Will use a different hospital next time. Great video. Staff in every OR should watch this.

As a patient laying on the operating table, I had a surgeon ask me, "What's the craziest thing you've ever done?" I thought it was so weird, confusing, and uncomfortable!! I hated my experience with that surgeon, and the bad experience started at that moment and continued into my post-op care and follow up visits. If more surgeons and others in the OR could remember the "Golden Rule" as you said in your video, people's experiences would be so much better!!

Amazing work thanks so much

I really appreciate this video 💕

Love this so much! Aeger primo ❤️❤️ Also don’t make noise or say things that might scare the patient during induction and emergence! Hearing is the last sense to go.

I have to have procedures done every three months and I have to say I’ve never had surgical techs are anyone other than the nurse actually speak to me at the place where I go which I find very unnerving because I’m visually impaired and I can hear them it it’s unnerving for me to not know who’s there . I think it’s great that you do that and I think everybody involved in the rooms to do that even if they just say hello

👍👍Thank you so much!!

I only interacted with the circulating nurse and anesthesiologist. I made a comment how I wished I had my GoPro so i could record the surgery....got strange looks...two were setting up the back table, the resident who likely did the surgery was intensely studying the case binder, and the doctor was scrubbing in. Would be so cool if they had a way to record the surgery and give it to me... It was maybe 5 or six minutes from entering to knocked out.

Excellent video . Thank you for sharing. Newly subscribed 😊 look forward to more of your excellent advice & the importance of surgical etiquette.

Love the quote you started with. Live by it, have it tattooed on my back in ancient Greek.

Thank you for these kind tips.

My first time under the knife was to get a titanium rod implanted to fix a shattered femur after an involuntary game of man vs car (the car won) Had massive anxiety about being totally paralyzed but not anesthetized, while they were connecting everything and inserting lines, i was talking with one of the surgeons about the tech used to monitor brain activity and level of consciousness, then the anesthesia guy "flushed the line with cold saline" or so he said Then I woke up in recovery a few hours later with a now unbreakable leg

The patient is usually a bit scared and worried. You never get the full picture or are introduced to the people in the OR who will be working on you. I have asked people in the OR who they were and what their title was and they refused to answer. To busy or whatever. I am just a slap of meat on a table to them was the impression I got. I remember asking this one staff who she was and she refused to answer me because she was A STUDENT AND I HAD SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED NO STUDENTS both to my surgeon the Pre-op nurse and had written it on my consent form! THE HOSPITAL STAFF ALL LIED TO ME! THEY ALSO BURNT ME WITH THE BOVIE PAD AND I WAS FREEZING COLD AND AT A LEVEL 9 IN PAIN WHEN I WOKE UP in the PACU! I do not trust hospitals anymore.

It would be nice if that really happened in real life. The last surgical procedure I had 5/2023 the OR team were talking where they plan to go on vacation. I was wide awake and I was not included in the conversation at all. It made me feel invisible and like a slab of meat on the OR table. Not a good feeling and I could feel and hear my heart rate going up during the prep. It is too bad this does not really happen in the OR.

Having CB surgery Thurs10-22 wish you were in the room with

Cool

Not sure why I always ALWAYS just naturally assumed that pts were already under anesthesia lol. But I bet they are super scared lol because if I was in that situation I'd be scared as well smh ESPECIALLY while water CST etc setup/prep 4 surgery.

Thank you so very much! You made me feel better about two surgeries I had within the last year. Those teams did have great etiquette. And hearing you talk about it, made me feel good about my past experiences.

I had many surgeries, planned and emergency, and I never had anyone talk to me except tell me what they are going to do, strap me down, put electrodes on, or start with the anesthesia, etc.

Have you ever been to a AST national conference Shaine? I am considering going to the one in Orlando this summer, is it worth it?

I'd like an update. Where'd you go?

I have had over 7 surgies only 1 has introduced themselves to me and i have had some very bad surgies

I wish you had been on the surgical team I had last February. I had two procedures on the day of my surgery that didn’t go especially well so I was over two hours late for my surgery. This had followed a mix up of times the registration desk had, so I was at the facility nearly 7 hours before being wheeled into the OR. I was exhausted and upset, and not one person in the OR spoke to me. I know they were busy, but it would have helped to have a word of reassurance or comfort.

Yea surgeons and their staff need bed side manner I had open heart surgery when I was 10 I’m 15 now and the staff who did my surgery was awesome they explained everything that I asked (I asked A LOT of questions from what I remember)they explained the anastheia as rocket fuel but I don’t remember really any of the other questions and answers I do remember looking up at my mom with the mask on saying mom PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME DO THIS NO NO NO and then they turned the anastheia on and told me to count backwards from 20

That is one of the things I find so corny and annoying, saying the same old same old. We need to start coming up with better and improved things to say than the Nascar pit crew for example. I hear it so many times when we bring the patient in, and the other most common one is "we give you the good stuff and get you all drunk, then ask you to move and work and little". I've started to try and think of new things to say, but that is one of the things that starts making the job so mundane, and I cringe whenever I still hear those things. Like we can't think of anything new to say? Nurses and techs can still go ahead and say it, but me personally as a tech have strayed away from saying such robotic and corny things over and over.

You should get a gopro and film a first person view during a procedure.

You are a credit to your OR! As a circulator I would love to work with a tech like you. In addition, you are a wonderful teacher! You would be an awesome source to new or green nurses as well! Speaking of "talk" in the OR while pt is awake reminds me of a blunder I once made. SO embarrassing. One of my pet peeves that some of the techs would often do while I was retrieving the patient was placing the instrument casket on the OR table after removing the instruments. Why? Because here I come with the patient on the stretcher wheeling them into the room and can't put the patient on the table because the casket is there and no one can move it because you're scrubbed in. So then I have to leave the patient, go over and move the casket. One day when this happened I came into the room with the patient and again, there was a casket on the table. The c-arm tech happened to be at hand and so I said, "Hey, Steve can you move that casket sand put it on the case cart?". As he moved it, I noticed my CRNA was struggling to stifle his giggling. I looked at him and sàid,"What's so funny". He turned red in the face and said--tell ya later. We got the patient off to sleep and I asked again what was funny. He died laughing and said this patient has cancer and you just told them to " move the CASKET!". I was MORTIFIED! I always wondered from then on, whose brilliant idea was it to call the metal trays holding our instruments a casket!

what about a vid of some1 going down to theatre

I had my gallbladder taken out and when I was on the table the lights were shining right in my eyes I had to ask them to move it so I wasn't blinded and had to ask for a tissue to wipe my eyes and it felt like it took them a while to find one and they didn't really talk much they made sure I was comfortable as one could be on a table but other than that its a small hospital only 2 or 3 surgeons 1general and either 1or 2 orthopaedic

I was never introduced to my surgeon but it was emergency surgery is that Why?

Can i be an anasthealogist after having a diploma in surgical technology?

I have surgery tomorrow. I hope everybody in that or has seen this video, but I'm not confident. I'm so scared.

Hi, thanks for the very informative channel, I have a question, can you study, to get an M.D, if you're a Surgical Tech ?

I broke my arm I had to go under and it was sooooo shity I just lyed there cold still and scared half to death it was like a grave yard no talking just people looking over me I hated it sooooo bad they just slammed the o2 mask on my face So now I am afraid of going to the OR perfect 😒😒😒😞😞😒😞😒😞👿👿👿

Come to think of it I think the team at the hospital did say something about being like a NASCAR pit crew. The last thing I remember was getting the mask put on.

Yeah, this is how it should be, BUT ITS NOT.

I wish more people where like this but it’s not

👻 Littlekuen23

Yeah, don't talk about what you ate last night. The patient is fasting!

my mom had surgery today.

Such a great video Shane :) Keep up the great work! I’m on a binge watch of your videos... lol

Thank you..."patient first" is not just idle talk, it's practice... :)

I was having a c-section and it was an emergency. My family wasn’t able to make it in time so I was completely alone having twins prematurely. I was scared out of my mind and 10 years later the one thing I actually remember is the fact no one in the OR talked to me. The OB was bragging about his son the star football player and the only time the anesthesiologists would talk to me was to ask if I needed more Zofran. I couldn’t believe how cold it felt from the lack of interaction. If you can take focus away enough to brag about your kids you can ask a patient a simple personal question. I even tried including myself in the conversation making a joke about my school being rivals with his sons school back in the day and he seemed to take extreme offense that I was listening to his conversation. When the patient falls asleep on a positive note they will most likely wake up positive.

I'm less concerned about what you say when I'm awake than what you say when I'm unconscious.

I’ve had 4 gastrointestinal surgeries and I’m only 20. I get so worked up before surgery, and every time I entered the OR, everyone did their best to calm me down. They gave me something to kind of sedate me and didn’t tell me when the anesthesia was going in. So the next thing I know I was in the recovery room lol

I love the human story theme in this video!

Had two surgeries this year at two different hospitals. The second surgery was a terrible experience; primarily due to significant lack of communication on many points. Plus, the OR staff did not engage in any conversation. I am following up with the public relations officer, as I wouldn't want others to feel & experience what I did. Thanks for the great video.

A year ago i had my first ever surgery and a not so fun knee surgery. The pa knew it was my first surgery. The second i sat down on the or table she made sure to try to make me feel better up to the second i was knocked out. Definitely who ever needs a knee surgery i always recommend my surgeon and his pa

If only I'd been interested in this stuff when I was a kid / getting operated on. I was terrified back then. These days, I'd probably just be like "Heyyyyy, can I see all of the cool things you're gonna cut me up with? 🤓"

My experience with patients coming in the room they are full of Versed and remember anything, less the surgery is local ... even so I try to learn the patients name and when they come into the room I can introduce myself and also call them by name they get a big smile on their face when I use they name😄..... we were not allowed to scrub out so uusually leave the nurse was on her own sad but true......Good Video 👍🏽

That really is Surgical Conscience a professional behavior that demonstrates understanding and application of principles of surgical technology and legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities to patients and team members for which each practitioner is accountable.

I love your videos! I’ve had over 10 surgeries (mostly ENT) and am having my appendix out in a little over 4 weeks. Surgery can be nerve wracking, no matter how many times I’ve had it. Luckily, I’ve had great nurses and docs (aside from a few bad surgeons, though the ones for my upcoming and most recent surgeries are great). Propofol = amazing 😴😊

well said! wish there were more OR folks like you. I've had 25+ surgeries in my 72 yrs and etiquette was few and far between.

not just a quote it's in the Bible -said by our Jesus himself!!!!!!

I have had 5-6 surgery

Great video handsome! ☺️

It sure is

Leaving in Greece and having surgeries were no one in the or cared to introduce himself or try to make me feel comfortable is the reason why I'm studying to be a scrub nurse. I am already 38 years old, graphic and fashion designer and very determined to change this situation!

i have had surgery and never had anyone take interest in me - they assume that I am all ready "hight" enough to not be aware of what is going on --- and then I ask them a question about what they are talking about !!! hahahahaha and they freak out and say YOU ARE NOT SLEEPING????? hahaha and that's all i remember : )

I have vocal cord surgeries frequently. I know what and how things are supposed to go. When I'm in prepare I try to great everyone, maybe drop off cookies at the nurses station. I let the techs know the best IV vein and ask appropriate questions and provide appropriate answers. When I roll into the OR I thank everyone for being there and participating in my care for that day. I recommend that everyone become as knowledgeable about the processes - knowledge lessens fear. And, thank the medical staff. Write good reveues when deserved.

I may have made them all chuckle when I told them I wished I had my GoPro so I could record the surgery.....everyone was great. I was nervous, but I wasn't freaked out. Asked for my feet to be warmed and once they wrapped em I was out like a light! I was flirting heavily with the sexy, superhot senior resident and I have no idea what or if I said anything until flirting resumed when he came later that night to check on me

Thank you for all of the videos that you've made, especially this one...very important!!

Love, love, love this video Shane. It is of the caliber of your “What is a Surgical Tech “ video. That’s how much I love it. And your right, it’s not taught in school. The only thing really said is that hearing is the last to go during induction of anesthesia. You really have to pick up the etiquette from others in the OR.

I love your videos and I find so much comfort in this one in particular. I recently had to undergo 3 procedures in March and April of this year. The last being a hysterectomy. As I watched this video it took me back to being wheeled into the operating room. I wanted to know what happened to me but was to afraid to open my eyes for very long. Everyone was kind to me and did talk to me like you tell them to in this video. The video helps me as I process everything that happened to me this year. I know that isn’t the purpose of your channel but I’m sure I found your channel for a reason. 🙃

I’ve had 12 surgeries and have at least 3 more in the bear future and I can really appreciate this video. It makes a huge difference when people say hi and don’t just buzz all around you without introducing themselves or saying one nice thing to engage you. It’s all about the patient after all, that’s why everyone is there, so it’s nice to be acknowledged and not hear about their gossip.

Finally...I came to know your name dear Dr.🤗🤗Shane Freedman

What is your specialty?

I having surgery in a few weeks. 😳

Can you make a video on being more assertive or how to be more assertive in the OR? I’ve been told I need to be more assertive and I just don’t understand what more they want lol

How long do you stand as a surgical tech

ETIQUETTE! Yeah right. Surgeon's don't have etiquette for patients loved ones. Husbands and wife's, which ever should be aloud in the OR with their spouse during surgery if they want. Surgical policy is evil. It's disgusting, and it's cruel to put a patients spouse through the unknown. Honestly, if i'm married and they don't let me stay present during surgery i will sue the surgeon. It's very unnecessary. Seriously, surgeon's need to be more respectful to spouses of patients.