11 Essential Surgical Supplies Every Operating Room Should Have

The operating or surgical room is the most critical area in a hospital. Here is where a team of medical professionals, including a head or master surgeon, assistant surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists, carry out life-changing and life-threatening procedures.

Every person in the operating room has a crucial task to treat and heal the patient. However, their efforts will not succeed without the essential tools and equipment. Also, these are not your ordinary tools. 

It would be best to consider only the high-quality and advanced tools and equipment when building an operating room. This will help prevent mistakes during the surgery, which may result in an injury or death of a patient, leading to expensive lawsuits. 

Also, an operating room needs to have an adequate supply of medicines, such as anesthesia, ophthalmic, pain management solutions, and specialized medications like phenylephrine HCl injection. If you’re looking for someone that will give you a constant supply of high-quality medicines and medical supplies, you might want to check Fagron Sterile or any local pharmacy near your area. 

On the other hand, here are the essential surgical supplies and accessories every medical facility should invest in: 

1. Surgical Tables And Their Accessories

A high-quality surgical table with built-in accessories is one of the primary pieces of equipment your operating room should have. With this, your team will be able to perform any surgical operation with certainty and determination. 

These tables are manufactured based on different needs, such as general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic, and other types of operations. If you’re operating a large medical facility, having different surgical tables would be a good investment you need to consider.

Furthermore, you might want to consider investing in tables designed for arm and hand surgeries if you’re anticipating numerous procedures to be done on the upper extremities. 

2. Medical-Grade Clamps

Clamps are one of the essential tools that help other accessories to attach themselves to the surgical table. These accessories include IV poles, anesthesia screens, and arm boards. 

Furthermore, some clamps are created to fit in any surgical tableside, while others may only fit at specific spots. So, make sure to choose a clamp based on the type of surgeries you usually do and what’s best for your team.

3. Patient-Transfer Boards 

Patient transfer boards allow medical professionals to transfer patients quickly. When choosing a transfer board, you might want to consider those with rollers that will make it much easier for your team to move patients, reducing setup time. 

In addition, the use of transfer boards or sheets is crucial to some types of surgeries, such as bariatric and ophthalmologic. Transfer boards help patients feel comfortable while letting the surgeon work accessibly. 

Furthermore, you may consider using air-assisted devices, especially when handling heavy patients. However, the setup time may be longer than usual. 

4. Arm Boards

Arm boards are among the most important medical accessories your surgical team needs in almost any surgical operation. They may be simple in both looks and uses, but they offer great support for your team.

One of the best arm boards you can use is the gel type. It is perfect for almost all body parts, from the patient’s arms to legs, and it provides invaluable comfort to most patients while undergoing different medical operations. Arm boards properly align the body during anatomical posturing for better precision and make it easier for anesthesiologists to administer the drug throughout the surgery. 

5. Medical Disposables

Another thing that your operating room should never run out of is a sufficient collection of medical consumables and disposables. These are your surgical masks, gowns, cotton, bandages, medical-grade gloves, surgical sutures, adhesives, among others. 

The primary purpose of these items is to protect the surgical team and the patients from infections. Thus, stocks should be refilled regularly. Furthermore, don’t forget to dispose of your disposables immediately to avoid contamination and spreading harmful microorganisms to the next patients and group of surgeons.

6. Surgical Equipment Covers

Surgical covers are used to ensure the cleanliness of equipment during the surgery. They also protect surgeons and patients from being infected and contaminated by medical tools.

When choosing a cover, make sure to look for those made with sterile plastic and adjustable opening for medical equipment. 

7. Head Supporting Devices

Head supports or headrests allow patients to lie and breathe in comfort during difficult surgical operation positions. Also, it would be best to have a wide range of head support, which you can use for different types of surgery. You may look for doughnut-shaped, gel-type, or cushions.

8. Adjustable Table Anesthesia Screens

If your medical facility is performing a handful of outpatient surgeries, you want to make sure that you have an adequate supply of anesthesia screens. These help the patient avoid seeing the medical instruments and actual surgery, which could be their source of fear, shock, and emotional distress. 

Moreover, anesthesia screens help prevent infections by providing additional protection from possible contaminants.

9. Surgical Lights

The appropriate surgical lights will help your team function and work at their best, especially when performing challenging surgeries like organ transplants. When choosing surgical lights, ensure they have a wide range of lighting options and provide bright white illumination throughout the surgical site. 

Also, make sure that lights are made from LED for better white lighting, reduced heat, and near-perfect color rendition.

10. Surgical Restraint Straps

When performing a surgery, the top priority is always the patient’s safety. That being said, it’s important to have restraint straps that will ensure that the patient is secure during the operation.

Furthermore, you want your restraint straps to be made with high-quality materials so that they can be used repeatedly and reduce any discomfort. 

11. Backup Electricity

Surgery without electricity is nearly impossible. Most essential medical equipment needs electricity to work, such as AEDs, surgical lights, patient monitors, anesthesia machines, etc. Without an adequate electricity supply, finishing a surgery safe and problem-free is unlikely, resulting in possible medical malpractice and legal consequences. 

With that said, it’s important to have a sufficient backup supply of electricity that you can use in times of emergency and natural phenomena. 

Final Words

The operating room is one of the most critical areas in medical facilities and hospitals. Here is where the life-threatening battle between life and death happens. So, it’s crucial to have a complete supply of tools and equipment that may help increase the chance of a patient’s survival.

Also, having a complete set of tools is not enough. You want to make sure that they’re made from high-quality and durable materials to prevent causing harm during a surgical operation.