National Surgical Techonlogist Week - Mock Surgery in Richmond!

Sept. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Immediate Release

Who Is Behind The Mask?

Mock Neurosurgery to be Demonstrated in Richmond
 Mock Spine Surgery (Lumbar Laminectomy)
 Friday, September 23, 2011
 1:00 pm
 Fortis College, 2000 Westmoreland Street, Richmond

Richmond, VA – On September 23, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. the public is invited get a rare, up close look at a spine surgery. Dr. David S. Geckle, MD, a Richmond neurosurgeon, and local certified surgical technologists are putting on a mock surgery to demonstrate the crucial roles of all surgical team members, particularly that of the surgical technologist. Surgical technologists are currently unregulated in Virginia, yet they are critical to a successful procedure.
The group is calling on lawmakers to establish educational and certification requirements for surgical technologists, a profession comprised of 1,700 individuals in Virginia. The profession of surgical technology is expected to grow 25% between now and 2018, yet few people know about it. Dr. Troy Glembot, MD, a Winchester surgeon states, “Every day in operating rooms throughout Virginia thousands of surgeries are being performed. Surgical procedures are complicated, and require extensive use of highly technical equipment. The proper education and training of all team members is vital to the successful outcome of all surgical patients. Surgical technologists are a critical part of this team to ensure the safe delivery of surgical care to our patients.”
Several states have passed legislation to require that surgical technologists graduate from an accredited surgical technology program and earn the Certified Surgical Technologist credential, yet Virginia does not require surgical technologists to have any education or certification.
Sandi Luthie, a local certified surgical technologist, states, “Patients assume everyone in the operating room is credentialed, yet surgical technologists remain the only member of the surgical team not required to meet any minimum standards. Requiring certification would decrease surgical site infections, enhance patient safety and ensure surgical team competency. We hope the mock surgery shows the public the importance of our role in the operating room.”
Thousands of surgical technologists around the country will be celebrating National Surgical Technologist Week September 18 - 24, 2011.
Contact: Sandra Luthie, President, Virginia State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists
 (434) 996-1354
 Tinystich@aol.com or Vanessa.hannemann@ast.org
 http://www.ast.org/professionals/promote_prof.aspx

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Virginia Commonwealth State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologist. This is the organization that represents the Surgical Technologist of Virginia, under the direction of the national organization. Surgical Technologist are an essential team member of the surgical team. "Aegro Primo" - Patient First!