LUFKIN, TEXAS (September 22, 2017)… As members of the operating room team, the role of a surgical technologist is very complex and necessary for a successful surgery. CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin acknowledges and honors the hard work and dedication of these professionals who greatly contribute to the safety and success of thousands of surgeries performed in Lufkin each year.
A surgical technologist’s job begins before surgery with preparation of the operating room and the patient, setting up surgical instruments, equipment and supplies, creating and maintaining a sterile environment, and ensuring all equipment operates effectively.
During the surgery, the technologist must remain alert, anticipating the needs of the surgeon. The job includes passing instruments and providing needed supplies, providing solutions and medications to the surgeon, receiving tissue specimens and ensuring there are no breaks in sterile technique in order to prevent infection. The technologist must have outstanding communication skills.
Surgical technologists are an important asset to the CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin surgery team. According to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), “a single surgery may require more than 600 instruments. With the seemingly infinite types of surgical equipment in use – lasers, robots, neurosurgery devices, retractors, scissors, clamps and fluids – having a competent, educated surgical technologist on the team is vital.”
