The star of every operating room is a talented surgeon who uses instruments with precision. However, the unsung hero behind every star is a surgical tech who makes sure the suction is ready, the scalpel is the proper size, and the surgeon doesn’t inadvertently reach for their coffee cup rather than a retractor. Because they combine thorough planning, quick problem-solving, and an amazing ability to handle both the predictable and the chaotic, surgical techs are the glue that holds the operating room together.
What does a typical day in their scrubs entail? Come take a look at the hectic, frequently comical, and sometimes ridiculous world of a surgical tech.
Like “before the sun knows it’s morning,” the day begins early. Caffeine in one hand and a sense of readiness in the other, surgical techs arrive at the hospital. First step? The crucial checklist. Is the apparatus sterile? Verify. Are the tools used for surgery present? Verify. Has anyone substituted barbecue mitts for the surgical gloves? I hope not.
The morning rush is a combination of art and science. Each instrument must be present, neatly placed in its tray, and shining like surgical bling. Naturally, there is always that one instrument that appears out of nowhere and then magically reappears—exactly where you have already looked twice.
Surgical techs maintain their game faces during the preparations. Jokes about who brought the best post-surgery snacks are definitely welcome, but there is no room for error. After all, in this business, morale is just as important as sutures.
The magic happens in the operating room—or, perhaps more accurately, the intersection of training, teamwork, and the occasional miracle. With trays of instruments and a mental map of the process, surgical techs enter the sterile battlefield like prepared warriors.
The choreography starts as soon as the surgeon shows up. They say, “Scalpel,” and it appears before the entire sentence is completed. They say, “Suction,” and the tool materializes like a surgical technologist’s version of a magician’s trick. However, not everything follows the book exactly. Unflappable as ever, the surgical tech somehow translates a surgeon’s request for a “thingamajig” or “doohickey” into the appropriate clamp or retractor.
The delicate dance of avoiding contamination comes next. Drop a tool? The ticket to the autoclave is one-way. Touch something non-sterile by accident? The hand-sanitizing ritual is as intricate as a Broadway show. When a surgeon insists that their playlist is “essential for focus,” surgical techs know how to maintain composure and keep things moving smoothly, even if it means suppressing an eye roll.
In the operating room, one thing is certain: nothing will ever go exactly as planned. Perhaps a suture is missing, or the surgeon needs an instrument that hasn’t been seen since 1987. With their minds constantly switching between Plan A, Plan B, and occasionally Plan Z, surgical techs are experts at adapting.
Then there are human nature’s peculiarities. Midway through the procedure, the surgeon’s glove tears? Here comes the surgical tech’s incredibly quick replacement abilities. Fortunately, the anesthesiologist sneezes behind their mask. It’s a brief stop to ensure that sterility hasn’t been jeopardized.
Not to mention the unanticipated humor that keeps everyone in check. A surgical tech’s favorite moment? When a surgeon tries to eat a snack with forceps as chopsticks (true story). Even though they handle high-stakes situations, the occasional humorous break serves as a reminder that life manages to keep things light, even in the operating room.
For surgical techs, lunch breaks are less of a planned necessity and more of a myth. When they do get a break, it’s usually a quick one, with one hand clutching a pager that could go off at any time and the other holding a sandwich.
With emergency crackers in lockers, granola bars in pockets, and the occasional chocolate stash hidden like a national secret, surgical techs have largely perfected the art of survival snacking. Additionally, they have mastered the art of interpreting the OR schedule to determine whether or not “lunch” will take place at noon until the sun sets.
Adrenaline and the strange sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing the surgery is going well keep them going when they don’t have time to eat. They bond with other OR staff members and share stories and laughs over whatever mystery casserole someone brought from home when they finally get to sit down for five wonderful minutes.
A second wind—or perhaps just the prospect of eventually removing the scrubs—arrives in the OR in the afternoon. Surgical technicians go into overdrive and meticulously handle consecutive cases. Every movement seems to be a part of a well-practiced symphony, the instruments are prepared, and the surgeon’s preferences are committed to memory.
Naturally, there are some surprises in the afternoon. You’re quietly passing out clamps one minute, and then you’re searching the storage area for a seldom-used device that no one has yet unpacked. Because they combine resourcefulness with an almost supernatural ability to maintain composure, surgical techs thrive in this unpredictable environment.
By this point, there is an unwritten agreement to keep the spirits up, and the jokes are flowing freely. These moments serve as a reminder to everyone why they initially chose this fast-paced, high-pressure profession, whether it is through sharing stories about strange requests from prior surgeries or laughing at the surgeon’s dubious Spotify selections.
The surgical tech’s work is far from done as the final procedure comes to an end. Since nothing says “bad day” more than discovering a clamp is missing, the instruments must be carefully counted. Everything has been sanitized, cleaned, and restocked so that tomorrow can begin the cycle anew.
The final checklist gives a sense of satisfaction because every patient on the schedule has been seen, the OR is immaculate, and all the equipment is in its proper place. Even though they work long hours and sometimes there is chaos, surgical techs feel proud when they leave the hospital.
Naturally, the day doesn’t truly end until they’ve hung up their scrubs, laughed about the day’s peculiarities, and exchanged a few battle stories with their fellow technicians. Because a surgical tech’s day is filled with challenges, friendships, and just enough humor to keep things in perspective.
Although they may not always be the center of attention, surgical technicians play a heroic role. They are the quick thinkers who keep everything moving smoothly, the steady hands behind the scenes, and the calm in the OR storm. Every successful surgery depends on them, whether they’re getting instruments, handling chaos with poise, or lightening the mood with a joke.
So let’s celebrate the unsung heroes in scrubs, the surgical techs. Think about the skill, commitment, and humor they bring to the table the next time you’re in one (ideally as staff, not a patient!). Every great surgeon has an even better surgical tech behind them, along with perhaps a secret supply of granola bars.
December 06, 2024
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