The Surgical Team

The surgical team are composed of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon, circulating nurse and scrub nurse. These are the basic roles of the surgical team inside the operating room:

SURGEON

• Head of the surgical team
• Perform operative procedure safely and correctly
• Visits the patient before anesthesia is inducted, if needed, assist in the positioning of the patient
• Responsible for being certain that all team members are aware of what they need during the procedures and that all necessary equipments are available. 
• If he/she is responsible to give the anesthesia (in cases of local anesthesia), it will either be given before scrubbing or after the patient has been draped
• After the operation: surgeon secures the dressings in place
• After the anesthesiologist gives his/her permission, the surgeon should assist in moving the patient to the stretcher to be brought to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

ANESTHESIOLOGIST/ANESTHETIST

• Person who gives the anesthesia to the patient
• Must be properly attired in the operating room, although there is no need to scrub
• Responsible for making sure that all equipment and supplies necessary for the induction of anesthesia are available and then checks the patient and the chart for any last minute changes
• Monitoring equipments such BP apparatus, cardiac monitor are attached to the patient
• Helps position the patient
• During the surgery: monitors the patient's vital signs, reponsible for keeping the surgeon aware of the condition of the patient, he/she gives the fluids and blood transfusion needed during the operation
• Responsible to inform the operating nurse of the time for the next patient to be pre-medicated
• Determines if the patient is to be brought to the PACU after surgery is completed. Usually checks the patient's airway or vital signs before moving the patient to PACU

ASSISTANT SURGEON

• Help the surgeon in any way possible
• Must be properly attired
• May help with the drapes and final placement of equipment and supplies
• May close the incision and help with the dressing
• In our hospital, the assistant surgeons are usually the residents.

CIRCULATING NURSE

• He/she does not need to scrub, but a good hand washing technique should be done
• In charge of the over all running of the OR before, during and after surgery
• One of the most important duty: Sterility is maintained at all times
• Preparing the operating room
• Assisting the scrub nurse, especially during sponge count
• Caring for the patient before and after the operation
• Assisting the anesthesiologist
• Positioning the patient and preparing the operative site
• Assisting the scrub team before and during surgery
• Caring for the patient after surgery
• Cleaning the operating room after the surgery has been completed

SCRUB NURSE

• Must be properly attired, scrubbed, gowned and gloved
• Assist the circulating nurse in the preparation of the operating room 
• Must familiarize itself with the procedure and supplies & equipments needed to avoid delay
• Set up back table 
• Assist surgeon & assistant surgeon in their gowns and gloves,
• Drapes the operative site
• Should anticipate the surgeon's needs
• Wash the instruments