Title: Describe the operating room of a local hospital, noting the room arrangement, equipment, and areas used by the surgical technologist.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Exploring the World of Surgical Technology

Description should be based on a visit to a hospital operating room and should include observations of the following areas, equipment, and duties related to the work of the surgical technologist:

- Activities/procedures
- Means of communication
- Surgical equipment
- Emergency equipment
- Dressing room
- Scrub sinks
- Outlets (e.g., electrical, suction, gas)
- Sterile vs. nonsterile areas
- Environmental controls (e.g., ventilation, temperature, humidity)
- Anesthesiology department
- Holding area

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the primary activities of the operating room staff? What typical procedures do they follow?
- What types of information need to be exchanged by members of the operating room team during surgery? How do members of the operating room team communicate?
- How are tools and equipment used in surgery different from emergency tools and equipment? Why are each important in the operating room?
- Why are there both sterile and nonsterile areas in an operating room? Who maintains the sterility of the sterile areas? How?