Brooke Culler

9/13/2016

Southwoods Surgical Center Clinical

One of the main competencies that I watched at Southwoods was the complete

patient/family assessment that Heidi did in pre-op. She spent a good portion of her time

making the patient feel at ease and explained the procedure as well as assessed the

patients NPO status and checked their vitals and INR/PT when applicable. Heidi also got

to identify the main needs of the patient. This was mainly pain but she asked such a

detailed pain assessment that it really helped reiterate a targeted assessment for me.

Heidi also completed a nursing care plan. An example of her care plan was impaired skin

integrity. This was to make sure when the patient was laying prone on the table proper

pillows were placed under her legs and abdomen so nerves are not pinched and skin is not

torn on movement or bruised on the hard surface of the procedure table.

Today I got to observe in the pain management center at Southwoods Surgical

Center. This was such an awesome experience. I got to go through the whole process

from pre-op, to the surgery, to transferring the patient to PACU. In pre-op I followed

Heidi a registered nurse. She showed me the pre-op process from charting to starting an

IV. She first asked the patient a series of questions such as what meds they take, and

allergies, etc. Then she got into detail with the pain the patient was experiencing, where it

is at, how it felt, and what made it better or worse. She then started an IV of lactated

ringers. When I went to surgery I got to watch cervical, lumbar, and trigger point

injections. It was such an eye opening experience being that I got to be in the room and

ask Dr. Gemma questions. Dr. Gemma was the friendliest, and most educational person I
have ever met. He was so personable and seemed like he really enjoyed teaching me and

showing me every step of his procedure process. I also enjoyed watching what

everyone’s role was in the procedure room. I got to watch the nurse anesthetist and

circulating nurses role. The circulation nurse documented during the procedure and

helped the surgeon with whatever they needed. Lastly I got to follow the nurse

practitioner Pam who did consults for Dr. Gemma. I got to watch her do a targeted

assessment on a gentleman who was having shoulder pain. I also watched her document

this process and her communication with Dr. Gemma about the patient. Overall, my day

was very exciting and filled with information. The day went by so fast I didn’t even

realize I hadn’t taken a lunch and it was already 12:30. Next Tuesday I get to be in the

pre-admission testing center and I’m so excited to see what the day will bring.