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

Orientation to surgical technology theory, surgical pharmacology and anesthesia, technological sciences, and patient care concepts.

 MindTap Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist, 6^th 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

Prerequisite

BIOL 2301, 2101, BIOL 2302, 2102, BIOL 2420, NURA 1301, NURA 1160 and HITT 1305.

Corequisite

SRGT 1360, 1409.

Explain the physical, interpersonal, and ethical aspects of the operating room environment; relate basic concepts of surgical pharmacology and anesthesia; identify basic concepts of technological sciences; and demonstrate patient care concepts.

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.

Content  Reading Assignment

Unit I:       

Chapter 1: Introduction to Surgical Technology

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

1-1  Demonstrate the principles of communication in the surgical setting.

1-2  Analyze the components of effective teamwork and communication.

1-3  Trace the historical development of surgical technology.

1-4  Recognize members of the surgical team and their roles.

1-5  Describe the following surgical technology professional organizations: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), and National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

1-6  Compares the various roles of the CST.

1-7  Interpret the components of a job description for the CST.

1-8  Discuss the meaning of surgical conscience and its application to surgical technology.

1-9  Summarize the various types of healthcare facilities.

1-10  Analyze a typical hospital organizational structure.

1-11  Describe the relationships of hospital departments to surgical services.

Chapter 2: Legal Concepts, Risk Management, and Ethical Issues. 

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

2-1  Analyze the legal concepts that pertain to surgical technology.

2-2  Interpret the legal responsibilities of the CST and other surgical team members.

2-3  Compare and contrast criminal and civil liabilities and the consequences of these acts.

2-4  Analyze the American Hospital Association’s Patient Care Partnership.

2-5  Describe the need for professional liability insurance policies.

2-6  Analyze the critical elements related to the development of a surgical conscience.

2-7  Assess the resources available to the CST to interpret and follow professional standards of conduct.

2-8  Develop an increased sensitivity to the influence of ethics in professional practice.

2-9  Analyze the role that morality plays during ethical decision-making.

2-10  Cite examples of ethical situations and problems in the health professions.

2-11  Analyze the scope of practice issues as they relate to surgical technology.

2-12  Interpret prevention, correction, and documentation techniques that may positively affect risk management issues.

2-13  Analyze the recommended practices and required elements of proper documentation.

2-14  Apply principles of problem-solving to ethical decision-making. 

2-15  Assess the errors that may occur in the operating room and devise a plan for investigation, correction, and notification.

Chapter 3: The Surgical Patient

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

3-1 Assess the patient’s response to illness and hospitalization.

3-2 Demonstrate awareness that all surgical patients have the right to the highest standards and practices in asepsis.

3-3 Distinguish and assess the physical, spiritual, and psychological needs of a patient.

3-4 Distinguish and assess the cultural and religious influences of the surgical patient.

3-5 Compare and contrast the surgical considerations for vulnerable patient populations.

3-6 Evaluate the unique physical and psychological needs of each vulnerable patient population.

3-7 Assess the ethical commitment that is required of CSTs as it relates to vulnerable population's care.

3-8 Compare and contrast the patient’s responses to grief and the process of death. 

3-9 Discuss the procedure for a patient death in the operating room (OR).

Unit II:      

Chapter 4 Physical Environment and Safety Standards

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

4-1 Recognize the hazards to the patient in the operative environment.

4-2 Distinguish among the support services that work with the operating room (OR) team in the care of the patient.

4-3  Review the type of air-handling system required in the OR and the temperature and humidity required to maintain a sterile field.

4-4  Indicate cleaning procedures, traffic patterns, and routines required in the operative environment.

4-5  4-5 Analyze the role of the surgical technologist in the protection of self, patients, and others from hazards in the operative environment.

4-6  Recognize the design types of the OR.

4-7  Classify hospital departments that relate to surgical services.

4-8  Recognize the working environment of the OR.

4-9  Determine the physical components of the OR.

Chapter 5 - Technological Science Concepts

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

5-1  Define the basic components of a computer system.

5-2  Discuss best practices for utilizing electronic medical records (EMR) and protected health information (PHI).

5-3  Describe the role of advanced technology in patient care.

5-4  Cite the basic principles of electricity and their application in the operating room (OR).

5-5  Compare and contrast the various surgical lasers and their clinical applications.

5-6  Discuss the potential risks for patients and surgical team members from the use of lasers and electrosurgery.

Chapter 10 - Instrumentation, Equipment, and Supplies

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

10-1 Explain the relationship between instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.

10-2 Explain the relationship between instruments, equipment, and supplies and safety in the OR environment.

10-3 Indicate items that require sterilization prior to use in the sterile field.

10-4 Recognize basic instruments by type, function, and name.

10-5 Demonstrate proper care, handling, and assembly of instruments.

10-6 Differentiate the types of special equipment utilized in the OR.

10-7 Demonstrate proper care, handling techniques, and safety precautions of special equipment.

10-8 Cite the names and functions of accessory equipment.

10-9 Demonstrate proper care, handling, and assembly of accessory equipment.

10-10 Collect and prepare supplies used in the OR.

Unit III:      

Chapter 9 - Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:

9-1 Assess the action, uses, and modes of administration of medications and anesthetic agents used in the care of the surgical patient.

9-2 Convert equivalents from one system to another.

9-3 Accurately identify and measure medications for patient use.

9-4 Recognize general terminology and abbreviations associated with pharmacology and anesthesia.

9-5 Demonstrate safe practice in transferring medications and solutions from the nonsterile area to the sterile field.

9-6 Demonstrate the procedure for identifying a medication or solution on the sterile field.

9-7 Recognize the side effects and contraindications for the use of various medications and anesthetic drugs.

9-8 Interpret the factors that influence anesthesia selection for individual patients.

9-9 List the equipment used during anesthesia administration.

9-10 Demonstrate the precautions when identifying medications and solutions in the operating room.

9-11 Interpret the principles and demonstrate the measurement and recording of vital signs.

9-12 Analyze how the sterile technique is used in relation to anesthesia procedures.

9-13 Compare and contrast the roles of the CST and circulator during the administration of anesthesia.   

SRGT 1405 CONTENT OBJECTIVES

DIDACTIC

Anesthesia and Pharmacology

1. Analyze the principles of anesthesia administration and explain the necessity of each component of anesthesia preparation of the surgical patient. (C)

2. Compare and contrast methods, agents, and techniques of anesthesia

administration and preparation. (C)

3. Correlate anesthesia monitoring devices with patient homeostasis. (C)

4. Explain anesthesia complications and interventions. (C)

5. Calculate medication conversions and dosages. (P)

6. Apply general terminology to medication use. (C)

Professionalism

1. Describe the characteristics of the professional surgical technologist. (A)

2. Compare and contrast professional organizations related to the profession. (C)

3. Describe the credentialing options available to the surgical technologist. (C)

Interpersonal Relationships: Communication Skills

1. Define and describe types of communication relationships. (C)

2. Discuss goals of communication. (C)

3. Describe the significance of content and tone in communication. (A)

Interpersonal Relationships: Teamwork

1. Discuss methods for successful surgical team participation. (A)

2. Discuss strategies for the attainment of effective team goals. (A)

3. Compare and contrast individual skills vs. collaboration roles and responsibilities. (C)

Interpersonal Relationships: Conflict Resolution

1. Identify the skills necessary to resolve conflict in the workplace. (A)

2. Distinguish the types of behavioral concerns found in society. (C)

3. Discuss the strategies to negotiate effective problem resolution. (A)

4. Evaluate the methods to prevent conflict in the surgical arena. (C)

Ethical and Moral Issues

1. Review the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Patient Care Partnership. (C)

2. Understand the influence of ethics in professional practice. (A)

3. Discuss the role of morality during ethical decision-making. (A)

4. Discuss examples of ethical situations and problems in the health profession. (A)

5. Discuss the key elements related to developing a surgical conscience. (A)

6. Review principles of problem-solving in ethical decision-making. (C)

7. Discuss principles of patient confidentiality, including verbal and written. (A)

Legal Issues and Risk Management

1. Analyze the concepts of law. (C)

2. Define the various types of legal doctrines. (C)

3. Discuss the concepts that influence the standards of conduct. (A)

4. Analyze the legal elements of proper documentation. (C)

5. Describe the types of sentinel events. (C)

6. Summarize the intentions of risk management. (C)

Employability Skills

1. Assess employment opportunities for the surgical technologist. (C)

2. Evaluate personal employability qualities and develop an employment strategy that includes positive characteristics. (A)

3. Compare and contrast various types of employment applications and follow-up correspondence. (C)

4. Analyze various interview strategies. (C)

5. Compare and contrast the various roles in the surgical technology profession. (C)

Management and Leadership

1. Identify the characteristics of a successful leader. (A)

2. Discuss the functions and roles of leadership. (C)

3. Explore pathways to advance in management roles. (C)

Healthcare Facility Organization and Management

1. Compare the different roles of the team members in the surgical setting. (C)

2. Identify the proper chain of command in the operating room. (C)

3. Describe the healthcare facility (HCF) departments that provide direct and indirect patient care. (C)

4. Describe the healthcare agencies that impact the provision of surgical services. (C)

Physical Environment

1. Discuss the location of the surgical services within the healthcare facility. (C)

2. Describe basic floor plan designs for surgical services. (C)

3. Explain the principles underlying the design of the surgical department. (C)

4. Describe the floor plan of the operating room. (C)

5. Summarize the components that comprise the environmental systems. (C)

6. Describe the principles of environmental system safety controls. (C)

Needs of the Patient

1. Evaluate the holistic needs of the surgical patient. (A)

2. Identify responses concerning the needs of the patient population. (C)

3. Discuss the needs of susceptible populations. (C)

Death and Dying

1. Evaluate perceptions regarding death and dying. (A)

2. Define the various causes of death. (C)

3. Discuss the definitions of death. (C)

4. Compare and contrast responses to the process of death. (A)

5. Evaluate the various coping strategies and mechanisms. (A)

6. Analyze quality vs. quantity of life. (A)

7. Evaluate the process when a patient's death occurs in the operating room. (C)

8. Discuss the issues regarding organ and tissue recovery from a deceased individual. (C)

9. Discuss the issues related to suicide. (A)

Information Technology

1. Describe the basic components of a computer system. (C)

2. Evaluate basic electronic medical records (EMR) systems used. (C)

3. Evaluate safe practices for implementing information technology. (C)

4. Describe best practices in securing protected health information (PHI). (C)

Electricity

1. Define terminology. (C)

2. Describe the principles of electrical flow. (C)

3. Describe the various components of the electrosurgical unit. (C)

Lasers

1. Describe the biophysics of lasers. (C)

2. Discuss the advantages of using lasers. (C)

3. Describe the types of lasers. (C)

4. Describe the specific applications of each type of laser. (C)

Equipment

1. Identify the purposes of the various types of equipment. (C)

2. Review the uses of the various types of equipment. (C)

3. Describe the perioperative handling of equipment. (C)

Instrumentation

1. Identify the manufacturing characteristics of surgical instruments. (C)

2. Compare the grades of surgical instruments. (C)

3. Describe the categories of surgical instruments. (C)

4. Apply knowledge of surgical instrumentation to specific surgical specialties. (C)

5. Evaluate perioperative instrumentation handling concepts. (C)

Surgical Supplies

1. Identify surgical supplies. (C)

2. Explain the usage of surgical supplies. (C)

3. Explain the principles of handling the various types of surgical supplies. (C)

4. Evaluate the selection of surgical supplies. (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)

Draping

1. Describe the characteristics of draping materials. (C)

2. Describe the types of draping materials. (C)

Perioperative Documentation

1. Summarize the purpose of documentation. (C)

2. Describe the documents found in the surgical patient’s chart. (C)

3. Discuss the purpose of informed consent. (C)

4. Describe the types of informed consent. (C)

Assistant Circulator Duties

1. Discuss the perioperative duties of the assistant circulator. (C)

* Students are expected to read the assigned chapter and PowerPoint presentations including videos prior to class lecture over the content.

12/9/2026 @ 12:30 PM

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.

Reporting an Absence

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.

No Call/No Show

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:

1. Count as one of the student’s three permitted absences;
2. Be documented as a violation of professional conduct and communication expectations; and
3. Result in written counseling and formal warning.

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.

SRGT 1405 – Introduction to Surgical Technology provides students with the foundational knowledge and concepts necessary to begin their education and training in the surgical technology profession. This course introduces students to the role and responsibilities of the surgical technologist as a member of the perioperative team while establishing an understanding of the surgical environment and the principles that guide safe patient care.

Throughout the course, students will explore surgical technology theory, surgical pharmacology and anesthesia, technological sciences, and patient care concepts. Emphasis is placed on connecting classroom knowledge to the operating room environment and understanding how the Certified Surgical Technologist contributes to patient safety throughout the perioperative experience.

As an introductory course, SRGT 1405 also begins developing the professionalism, critical-thinking skills, communication, accountability, and attention to detail expected of surgical technologists. The knowledge gained in this course will serve as a foundation for subsequent surgical technology courses, laboratory experiences, and clinical education.