Can I legally scrub-in while shadowing?

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It is not illegal to scrub in as a pre-med. It defies logic that there is a law on the books anywhere in the US that would do this.

There may be hospital policies that make it difficult or impossible, but those are (obviously) hospital specific.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

I did absolutely no paperwork when I shadowed surgery, at all. I just showed up and followed the guy, scrubbed in, and stood in the corner and was told not to move to any other part of the OR. I was able to see the surgery via the headcam.

One time I made the very foolish mistake of moving to another side of the OR and my scrubs brushed against some sterile table. Almost immediately, the anesthesiologist and charge nurse yelled at me to back away and "What the hell are you doing???" Thankfully, this was before the surgery started but while the patient was being hooked up and everything. I started apologizing and got little sympathy. The anes resident came up to me later and patted me on the back and said "don't worry man, it happens." Instantly became my favorite guy in the room. Lucky I wasn't thrown out of the room, they had to get a new sheet for the table or something.

OP, was the surgeon an older gentleman? I imagine the older doctors are more old-fashioned and are less uptight about regulation and malpractice. However, either way, this seems beyond illegal and dangerous. But then again, that's awesome that you got to do that.

 

[croak2]

Just be cool about it, and avoid posting on public forums. There's always some petty tyrant who'll pop up to foul your day. Try not to piss off anyone.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I just showed up and followed the guy, scrubbed in, and stood in the corner and was told not to move to any other part of the OR

You didn’t scrub in. Scrubbing in means sterilizing and putting on the gown and gloves. Participating in the surgery.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

You didn’t scrub in. Scrubbing in means sterilizing and putting on the gown and gloves. Participating in the surgery.

Oh damn, okay yeah I didn't scrub in.

Absolutely definitely risky, I don't know if illegal but sure sounds like it.

 

[deleted804295]

Why aren't people who shadow and standing in the corner required to scrub in if they're in the vicinity of a patient undergoing surgery?

 

[binderpaper]

Same for me as a lot of people have said^
When I shadowed an anesthesiologist (no paperwork, a family friend), he was very explicit that I stand with my hands close to my body, without touching a n y t h i n g. "Even if something drops, don't try to help and pick it up. Don't try to help at all"
It was still an amazing experience to scrub in and experience all the surgeries in the OR, but I don't know if it's the best idea to write about touching patients, especially if you haven't done any sort of paperwork.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

Why aren't people who shadow and standing in the corner required to scrub in if they're in the vicinity of a patient undergoing surgery?

They're required to wear face mask, gloves and all that, but not formally scrub in with extensive hand washing, picking, gowning and surgical gloves.

 

[getdown]

Why aren't people who shadow and standing in the corner required to scrub in if they're in the vicinity of a patient undergoing surgery?

Scrubbing in means you're being extra clean and wearing sterile equipment since you'll be putting your hands in a body cavity. Being in the room, standing in the corner doesn't have any infection risk so you don't have to scrub but you do have to wear a face mask and scrub cap at the least.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Why aren't people who shadow and standing in the corner required to scrub in if they're in the vicinity of a patient undergoing surgery?

Only those participating in the sterile field need to be scrubbed. Everyone else just needs scrubs, a mask, and a cap.

 

[Master Thinker]

Not sure about legality, but it is actually very common for students and techs to scrub in. Just make sure you are not in the way of anyone and I don't see how anyone would care.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Dang, I assumed I was some kind of rebel whenever the surgeon asked me to step into the sterile field to get a closer look.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Dang, I assumed I was some kind of rebel whenever the surgeon asked me to step into the sterile field to get a closer look.

If you didn’t touch the drape then you weren’t in the field per say, if you had the scrub nurse would have lost their ish (<- this is what they do to anyone who messes with the field)

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

If you didn’t touch the drape then you weren’t in the field per say, if you had the scrub nurse would have lost their ish (<- this is what they do to anyone who messes with the field)

I am laughing my butt off because this happened on my second or third day shadowing. I was a solid two feet away from that dang drape, and the nurse scolded me. The surgeon looked at her and said "He is not even close. It is going to be okay, Carol." She glared at me and we were no longer cool after that day Scrub nurses don't play.

 

[21Rush12]

Interesting 5 year necrobump going on here

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I am laughing my butt off because this happened on my second or third day shadowing. I was a solid two feet away from that dang drape, and the nurse scolded me. The surgeon looked at her and said "He is not even close. It is going to be okay, Carol." She glared at me and we were no longer cool after that day Scrub nurses don't play.

Their wrath is no respecter of persons either lol, I’ve seen the same thing happen to medical students and residents

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Yes and adcoms find this very valuable. Talk about it in your personal statement. They love to hear about these stories. Next time try to get some actual surgery in too.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Guys I’ve put someone to sleep. Not with anesthesia. I actually just read them my personal statement.