Faculty Syllabus

1. Healthcare Facility Organization and Management

a. Didactic

i. Compare the different roles of the team members in the surgical setting 

ii. Identify the proper chain of command in the operating room 

iii. Describe the healthcare facility (HCF) departments that provide direct and indirect patient care 

iv. Describe the healthcare agencies that impact the provision of surgical services

2. Physical Environment

a. Didactic

i. Discuss the location of the surgical services within the healthcare facility 

ii. Describe basic floor plan designs for surgical services 

iii. Explain the principles underlying the design of the surgical department 

iv. Describe the floor plan of the operating room 

v. Summarize the components that comprise the environmental systems

vi. Describe the principles of environmental system safety controls

3. Physical Preparation of the Patient I – Transfer and Transport

a. Didactic

i. Describe the physical preparation that the surgical patient may receive before the surgical procedure 

ii. Identify methods of patient transport 

iii. Discuss the principles of transporting a patient 

iv. Discuss the principles of transferring a patient 

v. Identify equipment utilized for transferring the surgical patient

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the principles of safe patient transport and transfer

4. Needs of a Patient I – Holistic Patient

a. Didactic

i. Evaluate the holistic needs of the surgical patient

5. Needs of a Patient II – Patient Responses

a. Didactic

i. Identify responses concerning the needs of the patient population

6. Needs of a Patient III – Patient Susceptibility

a. Didactic

i. Discuss the needs of susceptible populations

7. Death and Dying

a. Didactic

i. Evaluate perceptions regarding death and dying

ii. Define the various causes of death 

iii. Discuss the definitions of death 

iv. Compare and contrast responses to the process of death 

v. Evaluate the various coping strategies and mechanisms

vi. Analyze quality vs. quantity of life

vii. Evaluate the process when a patient's death occurs in the operating room 

viii. Discuss the issues regarding organ and tissue recovery from a deceased individual

ix. Discuss the issues related to suicide

8. Management and Leadership

a. Didactic

i. Identify the characteristics of a successful leader 

ii. Discuss the functions and roles of leadership 

iii. Explore pathways to advance in management roles

9. Ethical and Moral Issues

a. Didactic

i. Review the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Patient Care Partnership 

ii. Understand the influence of ethics in professional practice 

iii. Discuss the role of morality during ethical decision-making 

iv. Discuss examples of ethical situations and problems in the health profession 

v. Discuss key elements related to developing a surgical conscience 

vi. Review principles of patient confidentiality, including verbal and written 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the key elements related to developing a surgical conscience

10. Legal Issues and Risk Management

a. Didactic

i. Analyze the concepts of law 

ii. Define the various types of legal doctrines 

iii. Discuss the concepts that influence the standards of conduct

iv. Analyze the legal elements of proper documentation 

v. Describe the types of sentinel events 

vi. Summarize the intentions of risk management

11. Interpersonal Relationships: Communication Skills

a. Didactic

i. Define and describe types of communication relationships 

ii. Discus goals of communication

iii. Describe the significance of content and tone in communication 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate principles of communication in the surgical setting

ii. Demonstrate body language and non-verbal communication

12. Interpersonal Relationships: Teamwork

a. Didactic

i. Discuss methods for successful surgical team participation 

ii. Discuss strategies for the attainment of effective team goals 

iii. Compare and contrast individual skills vs. collaboration roles and responsibilities

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate principles of teamwork in the surgical environment

13. Interpersonal Relationships: Conflict Issues

a. Didactic

i. Identify the skills necessary to resolve conflict in the workplace 

ii. Distinguish the types of behavioral concerns found in society 

iii. Discuss the strategies to negotiate effective problem resolution 

iv. Evaluate the methods to prevent conflict in the surgical arena

14. Professionalism Management 

a. Didactic

i. Describe the characteristics of the professional surgical technologist

ii. Compare and contrast professional organizations related to the profession

iii. Describe the credentialing options available to the surgical technologist

15. Physical Preparation of the Patient II – OR Bed and Accessories

a. Didactic

i. Identify the sections of the OR table

ii. Explain the functions of the OR table

iii. Describe the various types of accessory devices

iv. Evaluate the uses of accessory devices

16. Physical Preparation of the Patient III – Positioning

a. Didactic

i. Explain the factors to be taken under consideration when the patient position is selected 

ii. Describe the surgical positions

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate basic positioning of the surgical patient

17. Physical Preparation of the Patient IV – Urinary Catheterization

a. Didactic

i. List the indications for urinary catheterization 

ii. List the items to be taken under consideration when performing urinary catheterization 

iii. List the supplies required to perform urinary catheterization 

iv. Explain the steps for performing urinary catheterization 

v. Discuss the principles of monitoring output 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate urinary catheterization

18. Physical Preparation of the Patient V – Prepping

a. Didactic

i. Explain the factors to be taken under consideration to perform the patient skin prep

ii. Describe the various types of skin prep supplies 

iii. Compare different skin prep solutions 

iv. Explain the steps for completing a patient skin prep

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate skin preparation

19. Perioperative Documentation

a. Didactic

i. Summarize the purpose of documentation

ii. Describe the documents found in the surgical patient’s chart 

iii. Discuss the purpose of informed consent 

iv. Describe the types of informed consent 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate participation in the surgical safety checklist process

20. Patient Identification and Time-Out Procedure

a. Didactic

i. State the purpose of patient identification 

ii. Describe the patient identification procedure according to the patient situation 

iii. Describe the purpose of the time-out procedure 

iv. Identify the sequence for the time-out procedure 

v. Recall who will participate in the time-out procedure 

vi. Identify the time-out components 

b. Skill Applications

i. Participate in the identification process of a surgical patient

21. Anesthesia and Surgical Pharmacology

a. Didactic

i. Analyze the principles of anesthesia administration and explain the necessity of each component of anesthesia preparation of the surgical patient 

ii. Compare and contrast methods, agents, and techniques of anesthesia administration and preparation 

iii. Correlate anesthesia monitoring devices with patient hemostasis 

iv. Explain anesthesia complications and interventions 

v. Calculate medication conversions and dosages (HPRS2300)

vi. Apply general terminology to medication use)

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the safe use of medications and solutions handling in a surgical environment

22. Specimen Care and Handling

a. Didactic

i. Describe specimen types 

ii. Discuss methods of obtaining specimens

iii. Identify specimen collection containers 

iv. Describe the procedures for handling the transfer of specimens 

v. List required labeling components 

vi. Discuss the procedure for managing a specimen incident 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate specimen handling and the validation process

23. Hemostasis

a. Didactic

i. Analyze the principles of surgical hemostasis

ii. Differentiate between various methods of hemostasis 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the surgical technologist’s role in hemostasis

24. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

a. Didactic

i. Analyze the postoperative care of the surgical patient 

ii. Describe potential surgical patient complications 

iii. Describe the assistive role of the surgical technologists

iv. Describe equipment and supplies

v. Discuss the criteria for patient discharge

25. Assistant Circulator Duties (included in lectures above)

a. Didactic

i. Discuss the perioperative duties of the assistant circulator

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the perioperative duties of the assistant circulator to include documentation

COURSE LEVEL OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

1. Instrumentation

a. Didactic

i. Identify the manufacturing characteristics of surgical instruments 

ii. Compare the grades of surgical instruments 

iii. Describe the categories of surgical instruments 

iv. Apply knowledge of surgical instrumentation to specific surgical specialties 

v. Evaluate perioperative instrumentation handling concepts

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate perioperative instrument handling

ii. Demonstrate proper transport of instrumentation

2. Surgical Attire

a. Didactic

i. Identify select types of surgical attire 

ii. Describe the purposes of surgical attire 

iii. Identify the types of accessory attire

iv. Discuss restrictions involving surgical attire 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the principals involved in donning or doffing surgical attire

3. Asepsis and Sterile Technique 

a. Didactic

i. Describe the terms related to asepsis and sterile technique

ii. Apply concepts related to asepsis 

iii. Evaluate the sources of contamination 

iv. Discuss principles and practices of sterile technique 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate proper sterile technique in a surgical environment

4. Equipment 

a. Didactic

i. Identify the purposes of the various types of equipment 

ii. Review the uses of the various types of equipment 

iii. Describe the perioperative handling of equipment 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the assembly of various types of equipment

ii. Demonstrate the use of various types of equipment

iii. Demonstrate the care of various types of equipment

5. Sterile Processing 

a. Didactic

i. Define terms related to sterile processing

ii. Describe the processes of decontamination 

iii. Describe the manual methods used for cleaning surgical instrumentation and equipment

iv. Describe the mechanical methods used for cleaning 

v. Describe the concepts of disinfection

vi. Discuss the principles related to preparing items for sterilization

vii. Analyze the requirements for sterilizing items

viii. Discuss the principles of sterile storage 

ix. Discuss the principles of distributing sterile supplies

1. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate point-of-use cleaning methods

ii. Demonstrate the use of various types of sterilization machines

iii. Demonstrate proper technique in storing, handling, and distributing sterile supplies

6. Surgical Supplies

a. Didactic

i. Identify surgical supplies 

ii. Explain the usage of surgical supplies 

iii. Explain the principles of handling the various types of surgical supplies 

iv. Evaluate the selection of surgical supplies

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the role of the surgical technologist in the application of surgical supplies

7. Establishing a Sterile Field I

a. Didactic

i. Describe the principles associated with establishing the sterile field 

ii. Explain the steps for preparing an operating room 

iii. Describe the use of the surgeon’s preference card

8. Establishing a Sterile Field II 

a. Didactic

i. Describe the concepts that are applied for opening sterile items 

ii. Explain the sequence of opening sterile supplies

9. Hand Hygiene and Surgical Scrub

a. Didactic

i. Describe the considerations that are important to maintaining hand and skin integrity. 

ii. Discuss the concepts for performing the medical hand wash 

iii. Discuss the concepts of the surgical scrub as related to infection control 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the steps of a medical hand wash

ii. Demonstrate the steps for preparing to complete a surgical scrub

iii. Demonstrate the steps of performing a surgical scrub

10. Gowning and Gloving – Self and Others

a. Didactic

i. Describe the types of surgical gowns and gloves

ii. Describe the factors that affect the selection process

iii. Describe the methods of gowning 

iv. Evaluate each method of gloving 

1. Skill Applications

i. Apply the principles of asepsis to gowning and gloving self

ii. Apply the principles of asepsis to gowning and gloving other team members

11. Establishing a Sterile Field III – Setup Laparotomy

a. Didactic

i. Explain the steps for organizing the back table 

ii. Explain the steps for organizing the Mayo stand 

iii. Describe the final steps required to finish establishing the sterile field 

iv. Analyze special circumstances that require adjusting the normal routine for establishing the sterile field 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate opening sterile supplies

ii. Demonstrate the procedure to correct contaminations during the opening process

iii. Demonstrate the process of organizing the sterile field

iv. Demonstrate the principles of economy of motion

v. Demonstrate the principles of spatial awareness when organizing the sterile field.

vi. Demonstrate the finalization of the sterile field

vii. Demonstrate modifications to setting up the sterile field that must be taken when a special 

             circumstance occurs

12. Surgical Counts

a. Didactic

i. Describe the purpose of surgical counts

ii. Describe the types of documentation 

iii. Identify the items that must be counted

iv. Describe the methods for counting

v. Discuss the frequency and timing of surgical counts 

vi. Explain the intraoperative sequence for completing surgical counts

vii. Identify when additional counts are necessary 

b. Skills Application

i. Demonstrate the procedure for counting sponges, sharps, instruments and accessory items on the field.

13. Management of the Sterile Field I – Procedural Pointers and Post Op Routines

a. Didactic

 i. Discuss the concepts that apply to the maintenance of the sterile field 

 ii. Explain the duties of the surgical technologist to maintain the sterile field 

 iii. Describe special considerations that require the surgical technologist to make adjustments to maintain the sterile field

14. Establishing a Sterile Field III – Setup Laparoscopy

a. Didactic

i. Explain the steps for organizing the back table 

ii. Explain the steps for organizing the Mayo stand 

iii. Describe the final steps required to finish establishing the sterile field 

iv. Analyze special circumstances that require adjusting the normal routine for establishing the sterile field 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate opening sterile supplies

ii. Demonstrate the procedure to correct contaminations during the opening process

15. Surgical Incisions and Wound Exposure 

a. Didactic

i. Identify the anatomy as related to each type of incision 

ii. Distinguish among the various types of incisions

iii. Identify surgical incision selection based upon proper planning 

iv. Describe the principles of exposure

b. Skills Application

i. Demonstrate techniques for tissue exposure

16. Management of the Sterile Field II – Sharp Safety and Medication Management 

a. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate sharps safety

ii. Demonstrate fire safety precautions during the intraoperative surgical phase

iii. Demonstrate correctly passing instruments

iv. Demonstrate methods for monitoring the sterile field

v. Demonstrate performing counts

vi. Demonstrate transfer of care

vii. Demonstrate managing medications

viii. Demonstrate techniques for handling various types of specimens

ix. Demonstrate handling of various types of sponges on the sterile field

x. Demonstrate application of various types of dressings

17. Draping

a. Didactic

i. Describe the characteristics of draping materials

ii. Describe the types of draping materials 

iii. Explain the application of drapes to equipment and furniture

iv. Explain the selection of drapes concerning anatomical regions 

v. Describe the draping sequence as related to surgical procedures 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the principles of asepsis when draping the patient, furniture and equipment

18. Wound Management I – Sutures, Needles and Stapling Devices

a. Didactic

i. Define terminology related to sutures 

ii. Discuss the requirements of suture packaging 

iii. List the desired characteristics of suture materials 

iv. Describe the factors that must be considered when choosing suture material 

v. Explain the characteristics used to classify suture material

vi. Analyze the characteristics of each type of suture material 

vii. Describe the characteristics of suture needles 

viii. Describe the characteristics of suture needles 

ix. Describe the parts of a suture needle 

x. Explain the principles of handling suture needles 

xi. Describe the various types of suture techniques 

xii. Define the types of wound closure 

xiii. Identify the factors that must be considered when selecting the type of needle holder 

xiv. Describe the techniques for cutting suture material 

xv. Summarize the skin closure techniques 

xvi. Describe the various types of wound closure accessories

19. Wound Management II – Wound Healing 

a. Didactic

i. Define the terminology related to wound healing

ii. Describe the various types of wounds 

iii. Analyze the mechanisms of wound healing 

iv. Evaluate the classification of surgical wounds 

v. Analyze the factors that influence wound healing 

vi. Describe the complications that interrupt normal wound healing 

b. Skills Application

i. Demonstrate proper suture selection, preparation, handling, and cutting techniques

ii. Demonstrate proper placement, handling, loading, and disposal of surgical needles

iii. Demonstrate the application of the principles of asepsis to basic wound care techniques

20. Application of Dressings 

a. Didactic

i. Describe the types of surgical dressings 

ii. Evaluate the functions of surgical dressings 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the preparation of surgical dressings

ii. Demonstrate the application of surgical dressings

21. Breakdown of the Sterile Field 

a. Didactic

i. Discuss the concepts for the breakdown of the sterile field 

ii. Explain the steps that are taken to break down the sterile field 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the breakdown of the sterile field

22. Disinfection of the Surgical Environment

a. Didactic

i. Describe the purpose of disinfection of the surgical environment 

ii. Describe the cleaning process utilizing disinfecting agents 

iii. Describe disinfecting agents 

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate disinfection of the surgical environment

23. Assistant Circulator Duties (included in lectures above)

a. Didactic

i. Discuss the perioperative duties of the assistant circulator

b. Skill Applications

i. Demonstrate the perioperative duties of the assistant circulator to include documentation

PROGRAM LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

Apply theoretical concepts and exhibit practical proficiency in surgical aseptic technique, surgical procedures and patient care. Students will be able to:

• Apply a basic understanding of human physiology and surgical anatomy to the perioperative role of a surgical technologist.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts of pharmacology.
• Demonstrate theoretical and practical proficiency in surgical aseptic technique, surgical procedures and patient care.
• Relate diagnosis with surgical procedure.
• Integrate learning from one surgical procedure into subsequent surgical procedures.

Analyze the relationship between pathophysiology, anatomy and surgical procedures. Students will be able to:

• Utilize appropriate medical terminology.
• Relate anatomy with surgical procedure.

Analyze patient care situations and know how to act ethically and in compliance with appropriate standards of patient care protocols. Students will be able to:

• Identify and assume appropriate responsibility for patient care.