PREFERENCE CARDS in the OR

[@rquinn0111]

I'm a total fan of keeping all my personal surgeon's preference cards on my phone (I use Microsoft OneNote). I have it on me anywhere, anytime. I don't have to ask anyone or go through hoops to print off a card. If the computer network is acting up or the index cards goes missing, I can still pull up my cards on my phone. If another tech in another hospital needs help pulling for a case, I can email or message it to them. I also print off my cards and keep them in a separate binder at work so others can look at it, or I can tape a card to the wall and look at it as I'm setting up. I've found out through my career that a hospital's ability to update and maintain their own preference cards varies greatly. Generally the bigger the hospital, the harder it is to update their cards; I've been to hospitals that won't allow techs to make updates, which is stupid. So I keep my own cards and notes. The hardest part is starting out. It does take a lot of time to type it out and organize it in a way that can be easily brought up, but it is so worth it. It has helped me look like a pro even if I haven't worked with a particular surgeon in a while. Thanks for the great video!

[@myylee9181]

Hello, I'm 2020 surg tech student. This video is very helpful and thank you so much for sharing. I'm trying to learn a way to be a good surgical tech. And I gain so much confidence watching your video! Thank you again!

[@ferdinand2365]

can you do a video on how to improve anticipation and what key instruments/supplies you need for certain procedures such as total hips, knee arthroscopys. laprascopic etc.

[@101chary]

Love your videos they made me want to become a surgical tech keep them coming I will need all the help and tips on my new career!! Thank you!!

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Dash Doll great to hear!

[@mslovelyshot]

Definitely do an all about suture series! 😉 Back in the day when I was a student, I really could have used something like that.

[@SurgicalTechTips]

+Mslovelyshot Mrs. Dawn great idea. Will do ^^

[@FunSizeFishingMT]

I know it is sterile processing's job to put the trays together, but could you maybe do a video on how they do it? Not necessarily how they sterilize, but how they set them up! Thank you for your videos, they really help!

[@williep1626]

Preference cards are what's wrong with healthcare. I was in the cath lab and these surgeons and cardiologists never cared enough to even learn my name but would throw hissy fits if they didnt have their specific criteria met.

[@carilz7128]

Really, really appreciate ALL of your videos!!! Keep it up! Starting my clinical rotations for ST tomorrow. :o

[@sylvialarkin126]

I just want to thank you for making these videos. I am a new nurse just hired into a perioperative nurse residency program that starts in two weeks and I have been searching for videos to help prepare me. I'm extremely excited about this new journey I'm about to embark on, and I appreciate your videos because I feel that I am able to apply some to the knowledge to my nursing job. Thanks again! 😷😄

[@SurgicalTechTips]

+Sylvia Drew great to hear.

[@raehallahan8359]

Sylvia Drew Agreed , So helpful for us nurses!

[@suuupretty]

Surgical Tech Tips same case here, new in OR, thanks for your videos.

[@CH-mo2oz]

How was your first year?

[@dohiii]

My bread n butter. I'm a spd tech and have been pulling cases for the last 1½ yrs. Getting certified at end of month, then moving on to start the surgical tech program at our hospital. I already know majority of our main drs preferences in vendors, glove, specialty trays & power needs. Plus I know every instrument and how many in stock. Thank you for these videos. Helping me prepare.

[@avionfields3538]

Great information! Watching your videos makes me feel like I will be much more prepared for this career. Keep them coming!!

[@BURSARA]

hi i am a mexican nurse... i would like work in your country.. how can i pass de NCLEX test ... i am studing your lenguage, and i need your advice for a good agency to advice me i watch some one but its too expensive. thanks for share your knowledge i hope to answer me. my name is sergio zavala

[@mistiefagiana9774]

Thank you so much for making these videos . I just enrolled in a CST program here in Vegas. You've cleared up all the questions I had. I'm super nervous, but way more excited to start now!

[@SurgicalTechTips]

+Mistie Fagiana CSN or NCI?

[@rickgutierrez8244]

Love your video on preference cards. I am doing some research on OR readiness and looking for ways to use technology for ways to make the whole process run as smooth as possible. I would love to get some time to get your take, from your experience and perspective.

[@michellebrose7387]

I am a nurse educator. Very grateful for your videos. Thanks for doing these.

[@tatianaflorez7858]

I wished I've had seen your amazing videos before. They would've helped to come so much more prepared to the or....;) Thank you!

[@RebelRed]

You use staplers & harmonic scalpel for a lap appendix? Wow... we use endo loop ties & a monopolar diathermy hook lol

[@jodimagnotta9364]

I would like information about what should be in the or room? When I pick a case more stuff gets brought back to me bc they have the holds already in the room 😡 they over stock the room so why am I picking hold stuff

[@ccoop3774]

jodi magnotta, we tried having a list attached to the storage cabinet in each room. The list had what items should be stored and the quantity of each. This did help. On slow days or days with free staff those cabinets were to be checked. Also, a big thing was checking expiration dates. You want older items to the front to be used first.

[@lindasifuentes7214]

I love preference cards. I found one that needed an update. I updated the Bible

[@claudelory1473]

I love your presentation, it is clear and knowledgeable. I love your approach to your work. Keep it up. God bless you and your dedicated work. C L Ory

[@tdf_violin]

So great, thank you! ST student here, pre-clinical (starting clinicals spring 2021). I want to develop a relational database for my own pref cards. In your card that you show in this video, are these headings appropriate for most procedures? Are there other categories of information you'd want to store for other types of surgeries?

[@israelferia1973]

Good Day! your videos are on point... can i use your videos for some of my lectures regarding OR? thank you...

[@SurgicalTechTips]

israel feria sure thing, just make sure you credit me as the creator.

[@hammadali7594]

Loved it. You are becoming my mentor ❤

[@daviovann]

I had a laparoscopic appendectomy done on me of last year on Oct 30th (devil's night, blood sacrifice, LOL).

[@ceciliarodriguez5134]

I just became a certified surgical technologist and I got hired I'm really excited to start but also nervous 😂

[@RitaVilla]

was school hard??

[@ceciliarodriguez5134]

@@RitaVilla Hello, I'm not going say that it was super easy, but it all depends on how bad you want it, if you work hard you can do it and at the end all the hard work pays off good luck.

[@karinasotomayor7556]

How’s it going so far out in the real world? I’m a student now and going to clinicals in April. Super nervous about these cases and instruments that may be included in trays yet never learned!

[@ceciliarodriguez5134]

@@karinasotomayor7556 hi! It's going fantastic, learn as much as you can during your Clinicals don't be afraid to get there and do stuff is the perfect time for you to start building your confidence. For the actual job is alot to learn but is ok it takes time to get used to it but you'll get it. I love my job is abit challenging but once you get use to it you'll be ok🙏🙏😊good luck

[@smoketreeseverydayrh]

Preference cards are a curse and a blessing. By blessing I mean its a cheat sheet to a doctors heart. By curse, I mean that if its not updated, you have a good chance of being wasteful.

[@secretosborne1930]

I’m going to school to be a central processing tech so I can get a little more prepared to be a surgical tech. Do you think that’s a good choice to do?

[@lindasifuentes7214]

Requesting a video on what does a basic "OR readiness" room look like

[@SurgicalTechTips]

great idea ^_-

[@jessiestewart1849]

Thanks for the information

[@ildikomolnar8437]

Best lesson ever! People ,can you dig it?

[@engauge702]

Hey, love these videos. What’s the best way to reach out to you about chatting with you about some consulting work around preference cards?

[@engauge702]

To be clear, we’re hoping you might be able to do some consulting work with us as we are expanding our preference card software platform and would love your feedback and expertise.

[@dayanasoto2134]

can you make a skills video... like how to load a needle.. (fhfh..bhfh?) organization tips for back table...?

[@SurgicalTechTips]

I have an on going list of ideas I keep in a note app on my phone. How to load needles is one of them ^^ TY!

[@cafethenoo3800]

please give some content about circulator role

[@rogerdawg977]

Hi can you do a video on suture cutting

[@bbydiego]

Yes!! Do a suture video on most commonly used suture and the sizes, needle type and what they're most commonly used on.

[@SurgicalTechTips]

+Axel Rodriguez noted ^^

[@cassandraluna9519]

How do you successfully update the preference card? Do you speak directly to the surgeon before the case, if there is time?

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Yes, or after the case you can write stuff down that was missing.

[@ccoop3774]

Cassandra Luna, you can definitely speak with the surgeon before, during and after the case. I would ask if they wanted any changes to be permanent. Sometimes they may use something different because the case is out of the ordinary. You can add items as a "hold." That way items will be pulled and available if needed. I would also look over what was used after the case to see the preference card needed updating. It is so frustrating as a circulator to have to run the whole case to grab supplies because some coworkers never update the preference cards. It's not fair to the surgeon and especially the patient. Then I'm having to catch up on my charting. This can slow up room turnovers, then the whole schedule. Unfortunately, you're probably going to experience this during your career. All you can do is try to do your job the right way. Be the tech that everyone enjoys working with!