Surgical conscience is a distinct notion that is fundamental to perioperative surgical professional practice. It is a nebulous phenomenon that explains a surgeon’s moral commitment to protect surgical asepsis and patient safety. The phenomenon remains poorly understood and documented despite its profound roots in perioperative history. Thus, it is difficult to discuss the importance of the principle without dissecting different elements of the surgical conscience itself.
Regardless of their spiritual views, nearly everyone would agree that all people have a conscience as human beings. It is that “small voice” within each and every person that helps them discern between good and wrong. The concept of human conscience has been extended in recent years to the operating theatre, where surgical conscience has become a rallying cry for many healthcare professionals and patient safety advocates. The word relates to the idea of human conscience as it applies to all actions in the operating room. This impacts the rules, regulations, and best practices guidelines that govern correct procedures for every activity, from cleaning methods to patient posture, aseptic techniques, and various infection control techniques.
Today, surgical conscience is a guiding principle in perioperative care, and most nurses apply it on a regular basis. Surgical conscience is instilled in surgical technologists at most hospitals and throughout nursing school, and they use it on a regular basis. As a medical professional and surgical technologist, I take pleasure in my job and strive to provide the greatest outcomes for patients. They must have a firm surgical conscience as patient advocates to guarantee that the patient has a safe perioperative experience. Often it takes one irresponsible error to drastically alter a patient’s life thus, we must all practice with the patient’s safety in mind (Mayes 460). Surgery may already be risky for most patients; surgical technicians should not add to that vulnerability by acting ignorantly. For surgical technologists specifically, the conscience available to them significantly relies on the specific procedures performed as well as the actions of other professionals.
An example of surgical conscience would be requesting a break within an isolated sterilized location of a procedure, even if it involves dismantling and reassembling a case. Assume the sterile field on a complex case becomes slightly contaminated. Medical experts may be hesitant to demolish the sterile field in order to avoid wasting money or causing delays. Even if they only suspect sterile contamination, they should cease all movement and get the problem resolved.
Even when it’s uncomfortable, speaking up is a consistent strategy underpinning the titular concept. It is also the most difficult aspect of adhering to surgical conscience for many surgical technologists, myself included. I find it very hard to oppose, even slightly, the more experienced professionals in my field. Regretfully, some surgeons and/or staff members may be demanding, disrespectful, and even hostile, and physicians are sometimes scared to disagree with them (Mayes 463). If any member of the surgical team notices something that might be hazardous to the patient or the procedure’s result, they must speak out without fear of upsetting the status quo. Overall, the importance of surgical conscience can be understood as a key commitment that all medical professionals share with their patients.
Work Cited
Mayes, Carole G. “A Grounded Theory of Intraoperative Team Members’ Decision Making Regarding Surgical Attire Guideline Adherence.”AORN Journal, vol. 112, no. 5, 2020, pp. 457-469. Wiley, Web.