SHOs in the Operating Theater

• Make sure the patient, operation, and side to be operated on are properly identified.
• Make sure that all relevant information is available to surgeons and anaesthetists
• In relevant patients, ensure that imaging studies accompany the patiet and are placed upon the x-ray box in theatre. Eg angiograms for vascular cases, CT of abdomen for aortic aneurysm, CT of pancreas for pancreatectomy
• Ensure that operation notes are written
• Ensure that pathology specimens are processed
  • write pathology form
  • check if specimen should be in formalin or fresh
  • ring the lab if urgent histology report required
• Make sure postop instructions for IV fluids, observations, analgesia and antibiotics are written. Operation notes should include details of skin closure especially if absorbable sutures are used. In certain circumstances, e.g. scalp wounds, the number of sutures should be recorded.