Learn about equipment

Equipment

Ventilators

There are many different models and versions of ventilators but they all do the same thing: assist a patient to breathe. Below is one example, and they do come in various sizes and shapes. Most ICU patients are on a ventilator, and once they are breathing on their own, they are often transferred out of the unit.

Click the link below to go to an expert site: The Respiratory Therapy Zone.

Operating rooms or theatres

Regardless of the type of surgery you have, you will find yourself in an operating room or operating theatre. There are many people working in the operating room during your surgery. Every operating room is unique, but all have basically the same equipment. Depending on the type of surgery, such as cardiac surgery, there will be additional equipment including a heart/lung bypass machine, and cooling blankets and more.

They will include at least 1 doctor, the surgeon, but usually more, especially if the operation is complex or it is a teaching hospital. In addition there will be an anesthesiologist who is a specialist in putting you to sleep so you do not experience pain, or have any knowledge of what is being done to you at any point in time. They also hook you up to a ventilator so your breathing is controlled automatically. They monitor the ventilator, as well as drugs given during surgery, they can alter the rate and depth of your breathing, hang blood, monitor heart rates and rhythms, blood pressure and more.

There will be several nurses in the room: one called scrub nurses who directly assist the doctors, and at least one circulating nurse (sometimes more) or run around gathering extra sterile equipment, making phone calls in the OR etc.

All of the individuals in the room, with the exception of the anesthesiologist and the circulating nurse will be "sterile" wearing sterile gowns and gloves, but everyone will wear shoe covers, hair nets and masks. If you have concerns about your specific surgery, ask the team. They will be glad to say hello and chat as they get you ready. Remember they are professionals with distinct skills, but they don't bite!