1. I DO MORE THAN JUST COUNT! Tell the World Carrie Bynaker

2. BACKGROUND  I graduated from Lord Fairfax Community College in May 2009  I have 6 years nursing experience, 4 of which in the operating room  I work as a staff RN and am also the Quality & Patient Safety Coordinator for the surgical services department

3. INSPIRATION  I chose to submit an article to Sentara RMH Medical Center’s Nurses’ Notes as a means to communicate with other nursing staff  The title I Do More than just Count! is a reflection of frustrations  While in nursing school I had a clinical instructor state “I could never be an OR nurse; I don’t want to be known as a professional counter.”  I have had other nurses ask me “what exactly does an OR nurse do?”  I found it important to explain the role of the circulating and scrub nurse as we all ultimately work together

4. DETAILS THE CIRCULATING NURSE ROLE INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:  Pre-operative interview  Physical assessment  Strong attention to detail  Assess the needs of the patient during the surgical procedure  Continual evaluation of the patient’s condition with changes made to the care plan as needed  Ensure the sterile field remains uncompromised and take appropriate action when it does so  Keep the surgical suite clean and organized  Provide support for scrubbed staff including the surgeon and anesthesiologist  Prepare specimens and transport them according to policy  Perform counts of surgical sponges, sharps, and instruments  Follow the patient as needed to the recovery unit

5. DETAILS THE SCRUB NURSE ROLE INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:  Setting up the sterile field  Running the sterile table and/or mayo stand(s)  Provide assistance to the surgeon  Anticipate needs  Stay vigilant in regards to counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments  Suture via a subcuticular skin closure (with additional training)

6. DETAILS OF SUBMISSION  I chose to submit I Do More than just Count! for the month of November  Perioperative nurses’ week was November 8-14  Unfortunately, my article was not chosen for the month of November  The email I received cited “multiple submissions” as the reasoning  That same email stated I will be published in either December or January

7. CONCLUSION  I was disappointed to find out I Do More than just Count! was not chosen for November’s issue  I do look forward to answering questions and the buzz it creates when it makes it to print!