The operating room is sometimes called the OR. The OR is a very busy place with lots of bright lights, large medical equipment, and specially trained medical professionals.
Meeting the surgery team
When it is almost time for surgery, a hospital staff member will take you and your child to the operating room waiting area. You will meet the following surgery team members:
- surgeon or doctor doing the procedure
- operating room nurse(s)
- anesthesiologist (a specially trained doctor who will give your child medicine to prevent them from feeling pain or waking up during surgery)
Safe surgery checklist (SSC)
The safe surgery checklist (SSC) is used to check your child’s personal information including their name, birthdate, any allergies, and other important information. It is a tool your child’s surgical team uses to help them communicate and lessen the chance of anything going wrong during the surgery.
The SSC is used:
- when your child is being prepared for surgery
- before the surgeon starts the surgery
- before your child leaves the OR and goes to the post-anesthetic care unit
Different healthcare providers will ask you or your child for their name, birthdate, and other information to make sure that the checklist matches what you tell them.
Your child’s surgery will only begin after all the items on the checklist match.
