Make rules for OR ‘visitors’ clear
February 1, 1999 2 minutes read
Make rules for OR visitors’ clear
Manager has authority to ban disruptive visitors
Though almost all hospitals allow salespeople in the operating room, representatives of ECRI, the independent health care research organization in Plymouth Meeting, PA, say there are many different policies regarding their presence, and some facilities have no policy specifically addressing them. ECRI advises having a policy that outlines exactly what is and is not acceptable. The policy should contain the following elements:
• Obtain a legal release and require prior approval. The company represented by the visitor should provide a document releasing the hospital from any liability related to the sales representative’s presence. Any visitors, including sales representatives, should be required to make appointments to visit the OR. Even with an invitation from the surgeon, the visitor should notify the OR manager and obtain permission.
• Make sure the visitor knows proper OR conduct. Any non-OR personnel must be educated, either via written materials or an informal verbal discussion, on topics such as apparel, traffic patterns, avoiding the sterile field, universal precautions, fire safety, electrical safety, and radiation safety. The education does not have to be repeated for each procedure if the visitor has been in the OR before, but ECRI advises at least an informal reminder if this is the first time in your facility’s OR. Document any noncompliance with proper OR conduct, including accidental violations. Report the incidents to the OR manager, who should have the authority to ban the visitor from the OR for causing serious disruptions.
• Do not take any guff from the salesperson. The salesperson or other visitor is always a guest in your OR and should act accordingly. If you determine that the OR is too crowded to allow the visitor even though there was prior approval, that is the final word. Do not let the salesperson argue about it. The visitor must comply with any instructions in the OR, and if the visitor interferes with the procedure in any way or upsets any member of the OR team, he or she should be told to leave immediately.
• Prohibit wandering by the salesperson. If the visitor is allowed to observe surgery, he or she should be escorted to and from the OR area. Clearance to observe the surgery should not be construed as clearance to wander the OR area and speak with anyone in sight. The visitor should not be allowed in the doctors’ lounges unless invited there by a doctor.
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