Fall 2026
Fundamentals of Perioperative Concepts and Techniques
Instructor: Stefanie Vaughn, M.Ed., CST, F.A.S.T
Program Director of Surgical Technology
Email:svaughn@lamarpa.edu
Phone:409-984-6372
Office Hours:
Monday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
In-depth coverage of perioperative concepts, such as aseptic/sterile principles and practices, infectious processes, wound healing and creation and maintenance of the sterile field.
MindTap Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist, 6th edition is 9798214122489
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Index Cards
Laptop
SRGT 1405, 1360.
End-of-Course Outcomes: Demonstrate principles and practices of aseptic techniques; explain infectious processes and concepts of wound healing; and create and maintain a sterile field utilizing basic case preparation and procedures.
Surgical Technology Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO):
PLO: 1 Demonstrate entry-level competencies for employment in the profession.
PLO: 2 demonstrates the importance of the physical, interpersonal, and ethical aspects of the role of the surgical tech.
PLO: 3 Utilize critical thinking as a basis for decision-making in the role of a surgical technologist.
PLO: 4 Assume accountability and responsibility for the quality of the care provided to patients.
PLO: 5 recognizes the importance of lifelong learning in the profession of surgical technology.
COURSE CONTENT
Content Reading Assignment
Unit I:
Chapter 6: Principles of Microbiology
Chapter Objectives
1. The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
2. Correlate the impact of microbiology in relationship to the practice of sterile technique and infection control in the operative setting.
3. Identify the name and function of various parts of the compound microscope.
4. Compare and contrast the structure and characteristics of different microorganisms.
5. Analyze the various immune responses that occur in the body as defenses against invasion by pathogens.
6. Relate the infectious process to surgical practice.
Chapter 7: Surgical Asepsis and Sterility
Chapter Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Discuss the relationship between the principles of asepsis and the practice of sterile technique with the impact on surgical patient care and outcomes.
2. Define and discuss the concept of surgical conscience.
3. Discuss the principles of asepsis.
4. Define the terms related to asepsis.
5. Compare and contrast sterile techniques and practices related to the principles of asepsis.
6. Identify the principles and procedures related to disinfection and sterilization.
7. Demonstrate competency and explain the standards of practice related to sterile technique.
8. Demonstrate competency in the procedures related to disinfection and sterilization.
9. Discuss the surgical environment and the application of the principles of asepsis to control the potential for cross-contamination within the environment.
Unit II:
Chapter 8: Emergency Situations and All-Hazards Preparation
Chapter Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Recognize developing emergency situations, initiate appropriate action, and assist in the treatment of the patient.
2. Apply knowledge of radiological and chemical injuries and biological warfare to the treatment of the patient.
3. Discuss the various roles the CST can fulfill during an all-hazards event.
4. Discuss nature-, human-, and nature/human-caused types of disasters.
5. Explain the various components of personal, healthcare facility, and national disaster planning.
6. Describe the initial response and steps taken when an all-hazards event occurs.
Chapter 11: Hemostasis, Wound Healing, and Wound Closure
Chapter Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Compare and contrast methods of hemostasis and blood replacement.
2. Demonstrate the preparation and use of appropriate hemostasis agents or devices.
3. Indicate terms relevant to wound healing.
4. Summarize the possible complications of wound healing.
5. Recognize the classifications of surgical wounds.
6. Indicate types of traumatic wounds and give examples of each.
7. Analyze the factors that influence healing and how they affect the healing process.
8. Recognize the characteristics of inflammation.
9. Cite and interpret common suture terms.
10. Classify and differentiate the usage of suture materials and stapling devices.
11. Recognize the types, characteristics, and uses of suture materials.
12. Demonstrate the application of recommended preparation and handling techniques for suturing and stapling devices.
13. Cite and interpret common suture techniques.
14. Summarize the basic uses and advantages of stapling instruments.
15. Demonstrate proper handling of the various types of surgical needles.
16. Assess the types of injuries that cause damage to tissues.
17. Recognize the characteristics of the types of healing.
18. Recognize the stages and phases of wound healing.
Unit III:
Chapter 12: Preoperative Surgical Case Management
Chapter Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Analyze the role of the CST in caring for the preoperative surgical patient.
2. Verify the preoperative routines that must be completed.
3. Demonstrate transporting the surgical patient.
4. Apply surgical positioning principles.
5. Demonstrate techniques to open and prepare supplies and instruments always needed for any operative procedure with the maintenance of sterile technique.
6. Summarize the methods to prepare the operative site for surgery.
7. Demonstrate applying thermoregulatory devices.
8. Interpret the principles and demonstrate taking and recording vital signs.
9. Interpret urinary catheterization principles and demonstrate the procedure.
10. Demonstrate the proper techniques for the surgical hand scrub, gowning, gloving, and assisting team members.
11. Demonstrate the proper technique for preparing supplies and instruments on a sterile field.
Chapter 13 - Intraoperative and Postoperative Surgical Case Management
Chapter Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Analyze the role of the CST in caring for the intraoperative surgical patient.
2. Explain the concepts for maintaining the sterile field.
3. Explain in detail the procedure for counting instruments, sponges, and sharps.
4. Summarize the steps of the postoperative routines.
5. Demonstrate the initial steps for starting a procedure.
6. Demonstrate the procedure for counting instruments, sponges, and sharps on the sterile field.
7. Demonstrate how to intraoperatively handle sterile instruments, equipment and supplies.
8. Demonstrate the postoperative routines.
SRGT 1409 Course Objectives – AST 7th Edition Core Curriculum Course Content Objectives
This course is designed to foster student growth in each of the three primary learning domains—cognitive (C), affective (A), and psychomotor (P).
DIDACTIC (Lecture)
Microbiology
1. Correlate the impact of microbiology concerning the practice of sterile technique and infection control in the operative setting. (C)
2. Identify the name and function of various parts of the compound microscope. (C)
3. Compare and contrast the structure and characteristics of different microorganisms. (C)
4. Analyze the various immune responses that occur in the body as defenses against invasion by pathogens. (C)
5. Relate the infectious process to surgical practice. (C)
All-Hazards Preparation
1. Describe the types of disasters or public health emergencies. (C)
2. Discuss the effects of emerging infectious diseases. (C)
3. Describe the effect disasters can have on the environment. (C)
4. Describe how healthcare facilities can manage waste. (C)
5. Describe the purpose and coordination of the all-hazards systems, including the hospital incident command system, national incident management systems, and national response framework. (C)
6. Describe the components of a healthcare facility emergency operations plan. (C)
7. Explain the personal and professional responsibilities of healthcare workers when participating in the management of a disaster or hazard. (C)
8. Describe how to mitigate casualties according to specific types of hazards. (C)
9. Describe the four responses that apply to every type of disaster. (C)
10. Describe the triage procedures. (C)
11. Describe the role of the surgical technologist during triage. (C)
12. Describe the processes used to control contamination. (C)
13. Describe the support roles of the surgical technologist. (C)
14. Discuss the moral and ethical issues relevant to hazards. (C)
Asepsis and Sterile Technique
1. Describe the terms related to asepsis and sterile technique. (C)
2. Apply concepts related to asepsis. (C)
3. Evaluate sources of contamination. (C)
4. Discuss principles and practices of sterile technique. (C)
Sterile Processing
1. Define terms related to sterile processing. (C)
2. Describe the processes of decontamination. (C)
3. Describe the manual methods used for cleaning surgical instrumentation and equipment. (C)
4. Describe the mechanical methods used for cleaning. (C)
5. Describe the concepts of disinfection. (C)
6. Discuss the principles related to preparing items for sterilization. (C)
7. Analyze the requirements for sterilizing items. (C)
8. Discuss the principles of sterile storage. (C)
Surgical Attire
1. Identify select types of surgical attire. (C)
2. Describe the purposes of surgical attire. (C)
3. Identify the types of accessory attire. (C)
4. Discuss restrictions involving surgical attire. (C)
Establishing a Sterile Field
1. Describe the principles associated with establishing the sterile field. (C)
2. Explain the steps for preparing an operating room. (C)
3. Describe the use of the surgeon’s preference card. (C)
4. Describe the concepts that are applied for opening sterile items. (C)
5. Explain the sequence of opening sterile supplies. (C)
6. Explain the steps for organizing the back table. (C)
7. Explain the steps for organizing the Mayo stand. (C)
8. Describe the final steps required to finish establishing the sterile field. (C)
9. Analyze special circumstances that require adjusting the normal routine for establishing the sterile field. (C)
Hand Hygiene and Surgical Scrub
1. Describe the considerations that are important to maintaining hand and skin integrity. (C)
2. Discuss the concepts for performing the medical hand wash. (C)
3. Discuss the concepts of the surgical scrub as related to infection control. (C)
Gowning and Gloving
1. Describe the types of surgical gowns and gloves. (C)
2. Describe the factors that affect the selection process. (C)
3. Describe the methods of gowning. (C)
4. Evaluate each method of gloving. (C)
Surgical Counts
1. Describe the purpose of surgical counts. (C)
2. Describe the types of documentation. (C)
3. Identify the items that must be counted. (C)
4. Describe the methods for counting. (C)
5. Discuss the frequency and timing of surgical counts. (C)
6. Explain the intraoperative sequence for completing surgical counts. (C)
7. Identify when additional counts are necessary. (C)
Draping
3. Explain the application of drapes to equipment and furniture. (C)
4. Explain the selection of drapes concerning anatomical regions. (C)
5. Describe the draping sequence as related to surgical procedures. (C)
Patient Identification and Time-Out Procedure
1. State the purpose of patient identification. (C)
2. Describe the patient identification procedure according to the patient situation. (C)
3. Describe the purpose of the time-out procedure. (C)
4. Identify the sequence for the time-out procedure. (C)
5. Recall who will participate in the time-out procedure. (C)
6. Identify the time-out components. (C)
1. Describe the physical preparation that the surgical patient may receive before the surgical procedure. (C)
2. Identify methods of patient transport. (C)
3. Discuss the principles of transporting a patient. (C)
4. Discuss the principles of transferring a patient. (C)
5. Identify equipment utilized for transferring the surgical patient. (C)
6. List the indications for urinary catheterization. (C)
7. List the items to be taken under consideration when performing urinary catheterization. (C)
8. List the supplies required to perform urinary catheterization. (C)
9. Explain the steps for performing urinary catheterization. (C)
10. Discuss the principles of monitoring urine output. (C)
11. Explain the factors to be taken under consideration when the patient position is selected. (C)
12. Identify the sections of the OR table. (C)
13. Explain the functions of the OR table. (C)
14. Describe the surgical positions. (C)
15. Describe the various types of accessory devices. (C)
16. Evaluate the uses of accessory devices. (C)
17. Explain the factors to be taken under consideration to perform the patient skin prep. (C)
18. Describe the various types of skip prep supplies. (C)
19. Compare different skin prep solutions. (C)
20. Explain the steps for completing a patient skin prep. (C)
Management of the Sterile Field
1. Discuss the concepts that apply to the maintenance of the sterile field. (C)
2. Explain the duties of the surgical technologist to maintain the sterile field. (C)
3. Describe special considerations that require the surgical technologist to make adjustments to maintain the sterile field. (C)
Hemostasis
1. Analyze the principles of surgical hemostasis. (C)
2. Differentiate between various methods of hemostasis. (C)
Wound Management
1. Define terminology related to sutures. (C)
2. Discuss the requirements of suture packaging. (C)
3. List the desired characteristics of suture materials. (C)
4. Describe the factors that must be considered when choosing suture material. (C)
5. Explain the characteristics used to classify suture material. (C)
6. Analyze the characteristics of each type of suture material. (C)
7. Describe the characteristics of suture needles. (C)
8. Identify the factors that must be considered when choosing a suture needle. (C)
9. Describe the parts of a suture needle. (C)
10. Explain the principles of handling suture needles. (C)
11. Describe the various types of suture techniques. (C)
12. Define the types of wound closure. (C)
13. Identify the factors that must be considered when selecting the type of needle holder. (C)
14. Describe the techniques for cutting suture material. (C)
15. Summarize the skin closure techniques. (C)
16. Describe the various types of wound closure accessories. (C)
17. Define the terminology related to wound healing. (C)
18. Describe the various types of wounds. (C)
19. Analyze the mechanisms of wound healing. (C)
20. Evaluate the classification of surgical wounds. (C)
21. Analyze the factors that influence wound healing. (C)
22. Describe the complications that interrupt normal wound healing. (C)
Specimen Care and Handling
2. Discuss methods of obtaining specimens. (C)
Application of Dressings
1. Describe the types of surgical dressings. (C)
2. Evaluate the functions of surgical dressings. (C)
Breakdown of the Sterile Field
1. Discuss the concepts for the breakdown of the sterile field. (C)
2. Explain the steps that are taken to break down the sterile field. (C)
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
1. Analyze the postoperative care of the surgical patient. (C)
2. Describe potential surgical patient complications. (C)
3. Describe the assistive role of the surgical technologist. (C)
4. Describe equipment and supplies. (C)
5. Discuss the criteria for patient discharge. (C)
Disinfection of the Surgical Environment
1. Describe the purpose of disinfection of the surgical environment. (C)
2. Describe the cleaning process utilizing disinfecting agents. (C)
3. Describe disinfecting agents. (C)
To Be Announced
12/10/2026
| Assignments (MindTap, Conflict Resolution) | 10% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Unit Exams | 35% |
| Attendance | 10% |
| Lab | 20% |
| Total: | 100% |
Determination of Grade:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 75 – 79
F = <74%
Grading Scale: P = Pass (75% or above) F = Fail (74% or below)
Please refer to the posted Surgical Technology Student Handbook.
Regular and punctual attendance is essential for successful completion of the Surgical Technology Program and reflects the professional standards expected in the healthcare environment.
Students may miss no more than three (3) scheduled days during a semester. The fourth (4th) absence may be grounds for dismissal from the Surgical Technology Program, regardless of the reason for the absences. Before dismissal, the student’s attendance record and any extraordinary circumstances will be reviewed by program faculty and administration in accordance with college policies.
For attendance purposes, all summer sessions collectively count as one full semester. Therefore, students are allowed a total of three missed days across the entire summer semester, not three absences per summer course or session.
Students must email the appropriate instructor before the scheduled start of class, laboratory, or clinical activities when they will be absent. If the absence involves a clinical assignment, the student must also follow the clinical site’s notification procedures.
In extraordinary circumstances that prevent advance notification, the student must contact the instructor as soon as reasonably possible and explain the circumstances. Supporting documentation may be requested.
An absence does not relieve the student of responsibility for assignments, examinations, clinical requirements, competencies, or other missed coursework. Opportunities to make up missed work or clinical hours are not guaranteed and will be determined according to course, program, clinical-site, and college requirements.
Failure to notify the instructor before the scheduled start time, except in a documented extraordinary circumstance, will be considered a no call/no show. A no call/no show will:
A second (2nd) no call/no show during the program may be grounds for dismissal from the Surgical Technology Program, subject to review and applicable college procedures.
Students are responsible for verifying that their email or other required notification was successfully sent. Messages communicated through classmates or other students do not satisfy the notification requirement.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.