Open Communication in the OR

Open communication is mandatory in today’s world. Employees will not follow leaders who work behind closed doors with no shared vision.

But neither will patients. Strive to be ahead of the curve. You are getting paid to treat one patient at a time. Act like it. You may not like the idea that the hospital is a hotel, however in the OR, you should make your patient the king or queen of that room.

When you open, get everything ready like you’re expecting the biggest celebrity of all time. Each time. Each patient. They deserve the best.

When you go speak to your patient, look them in the eyes. Give them a handshake. Rest your hand on their side rail if you’re not sure touching is appropriate in their culture.

Ask them how they are. You already know that they’re scared, anxious, tired, exhausted, worried, in pain. And that’s all because of their condition and plan of care. Honestly, they have no idea what’s in store for them on the other side. Even if they’ve had surgery before, each time is different. Each time presents a new challenge.

You have no idea what else they have going on. They might be the second person in their family to have surgery in the past week. They might be worried about a sick relative states away. They could be missing out on family parties or birthdays or work.

You have no idea. But the more you try to build rapport and a friendship, the more the patient will open up to you and be able to relax. Maybe no one in their family lets them talk. Maybe they have no one. Maybe they don’t want to stress their family out.

But you’re the perioperative nurse who is willing to listen and frankly, it is your job to know the psychosocial aspects that will affect your patient’s healing after surgery.

Golden Rule: Treat others how you would like to be treated.

When you get into the room, no matter how quick the case, spend time with them and assure them that you, or another staff member, will be there for them while they’re asleep. You’re going to protect them. You’ll watch over them.

Today you are the physical embodiment of their guardian angel.

When they wake up, be there for them. Whoever they are, they’re waking up in an unknown room and the last thing they might remember is your face. Let them wake up to the most familiar and comforting sounds. You never know what they’ve dreamt about or what their subconscious is doing under medication.

Give accurate report to the recovery nurse, whether PACU or ICU. The more that nurse knows about the psychosocial, the better they can prepare for phase II or the long journey of recovery.

Let them know about things that might’ve happened during surgery that could affect the recovery process.

Treat them like your mother, your sibling, your child.

And you will never be wrong.