Meet our team

TEAM ETIQUETTE: EMPHASIZING PROFESSIONALISM

Q: What would you say are the key points you emphasize in your team to ensure professionalism in the OR?

A: We emphasize respect for the patient. At all times, you need to keep in mind that this is a Dr.'s office and we are performing a medical procedure.

Q: Who sets the tone in the OR in your office?
A: The patient sets the tone. We do 1 surgery a day (2 max.) Our focus is strictly on the patient.

Q. How does the team compensate for changes in moods or changes in professionalism?
A: Everyone is going to have days when their mood isn't the greatest. The key is to keep the patient in mind. Bad mood or not, this is still a Dr.'s office and we are still doing a medical procedure. The patient is bound to be anxious and we don't need to add to that by bringing personal issues to the OR. Our goal should always be to put the patient at ease, make the long day as pleasant as possible, be personable and do the best work. Changes in professionalism should NEVER be an issue in the patient's presence!!

Q: How do you handle obnoxious patients?
A: Because we only do one to two surgeries per day, it is rare to get a truly obnoxious patient. Some are nervous or anxious, and we do our best to set them at ease (ie, answer questions, explain each step of the procedure as we go, show the patient the lab, let them see us cutting grafts, show them what the grafts look like, etc.) We just go with the flow and let the patient be the guide.

Q:Do you monitor topics discussed in the OR?
A: No, the patient is going to spend the entire day in the OR (with breaks, of course). We just go with the flow, ask questions, find where the patient's interests lay and go where the patient's mood leads. The key is respect. Respect for the patient and respect for all in the OR.

Q:How are poor behaviors handled in your office?
A: Our staff is very small. We have been working together for some time now and have formed a very smooth team. If there were any poor behavior, that individual would be spoken to privately and the situation handled accordingly.

Q:Who draws the line on etiquette?
A: Dr. Wolf draws the line on etiquette.

Q: What kinds of background to you find most beneficial? TV? Movies? Music?
A: We let the patient choose his/her distractions. TV is the most common. We have a good sized video collection that is pretty diverse. We also have a growing DVD collection and satellite TV. We have a lap top computer with a wireless internet connection if the patient wants to surf the 'net. The patient can watch what he or she wants, bring their own videos/DVDs, read, surf, talk about the world or sleep!!

Q: Who decides on the background?
A: The patient chooses the background. It is their procedure, after all!!

Q: How much talking and discussion is allowed in your OR among the staff?
A: I don't think anyone has ever asked us to limit discussion anywhere. But, common sense and professionalism lets us limit ourselves to talking about issues that pertain to the procedure or interaction with the patient while in the OR. Personal discussions, joking around, etc. is fine in the lab while we dissect grafts, but where there is a patient, we try to keep it personable and professional.

Q: Are there any other points that you feel are considered to be a key part of the etiquette you expect?
A: Only that we cannot emphasize enough that this is a medical procedure and should be handled as such. We respect our patients and try to make a lengthy procedure as pleasant as possible.