AHL 160 - Introduction to Surgical Technology

Course Objectives:

1. Discuss the history of surgery and identify the organizations related to the profession; 2. Identify the responsibilities of the surgical technologist as a health care professional; 3. Define the legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities of the surgical team, with specific attention to that of the surgical technologist; 4. Identify health care facilities and their organization and management; 5. Analyze the needs of the surgical patient; 6. Compare and contrast the specific needs of patients who are considered special populations; 7. Describe the physical environment of the operating room and discuss how it is related to the care of the surgical patient; 8. Explain the principles of asepsis and the related practices of sterile technique; 9. Demonstrate appropriate hand washing technique; 10. Discuss methods of disinfection, decontamination, and sterilization; 11. Describe methods of hemostasis and blood replacement; 12. Discuss emergency patient situations in the operating room and the role of the surgical technologist in an emergency; 13. Discuss preparation and response to all hazards events and the role of the surgical technologist in these events; 14. Identify and state the function of various supplies and equipment used in the surgical setting; 15. Describe the pre-operative preparation of the surgical patient; 16. Perform the open glove technique and state when the technique is used; 17. Demonstrate urinary catheterization; 18. Describe the principles of electricity and electrical flow; 19. Demonstrate electrical knowledge as it relates to patient safety; 20. Describe basic components of a computer system; 21. Apply computer knowledge to the educational process and safe patient care practices in the OR; 22. Locate and evaluate information using the latest technology available; 22. Describe robotic terms & surgical applications of robotics as related to surgery; 23. Identify the basic components of equipment used in robotic surgery & describe movements of the robotic system; 24. Apply principles of robotics to patient safety; 25. Analyze the principles of anesthesia administration as well as be able to explain the necessity of each component of anesthesia preparation of the surgical patient; 26. Compare and contrast methods, agents, and techniques of anesthesia administration and preparation; 27. Correlate anesthesia monitoring devices with patient homeostasis; 28. Explain anesthesia complications & interventions; 29. Calculate medication conversions and dosages; 30. Apply general terminology to medication use; and 31. Prepare and manage medications;solutions on and off the surgical field to be used in the care of the surgical patient.