First Week of Clinical at LAC-USC

I just finished the first week of clinical rotation in the OR at LAC-USC Medical Center. Oh My God! This anesthesia program at USC is better than I could ever have imagined. We were in the OR for three long days this past week and just from what I saw during these days I could discuss for a month. The only problem is there is no time to describe all of the surgical cases or the scenarios that came up. What I will relate is a few of the basics of what I learned during the first week of clinical here at Unit #1. "Just the facts, madam, just the facts."

The basics come first. We went over the anesthesia machine check and setup thoroughly. By the end of the week I feel confident that I could set up the anesthesia machine completely and run a systems safety check. This is good. Second, is the cart set up. Every anesthesia provider has a little bit different take on how to set up their cart; the layout of the medications and where the airway equipment is kept at the ready varies from person to person. The basics are the same and this is what came through.

There are standard concentrations for the medications and established ways that are for the most part followed from OR room to room. The idea is that when a relief anesthesia provider comes in there will not be any misunderstandings about what is drawn up in the syringes since the concentrations are standard throughout the hospital operating rooms. That is another very good thing. The way some of these people label their syringes is a crack up. "Now the tape has to go this way, not that way......." etcetera. Individuals have varying degrees of tolerance for how other providers set up their carts. The main thing is patient safety and having established concentrations from OR to OR for the drawn up medications is one way to establish safety.

Time is limited right now so I will add to the story tomorrow, promise.