For those of you who have never stepped foot in an OR, it can be intimidating. We would argue it is quite the opposite actually. Once you master the OR etiquette you can focus on learning. It is normal to feel outside of your comfort zone but watch these videos to ensure your first couple OR experiences run smoother. Make sure to watch these videos before and during your clerkship to ensure you look competent in front of the scrub technicians, residents and most importantly your attendings.
Scrubbing in the OR - a brief instructional video on proper scrubbing technique. Helpful tip: prior to scrubbing make sure your safety glasses are on and your mask is secured. Get out all those itches now, your face is considered non sterile so make sure everything is comfortable before opening that chlorhexidine package! Prior to any scrubbing make sure you
1) Remove anything you don't need from your pockets
2) "Throw" your gloves for the scrub technician and ask if you should double glove and what type of glove (eg latex vs. micro). A brief word on glove sizes: some people prefer to wear a larger glove size (eg 7.5) under a smaller glove size (eg 7) to ensure the glove is not excessively tight around your hand
3) Secure mask and safety goggles
4) SCRUB - usually with chlorhexidine. People have been known to develop butadiene allergies from prolonged use
5) Gown and glove with assistance from the scrub tech
6) OPERATE