Perioperatiivsel alal töötavate operatsiooniõdede (operating room nurse) rahvusvaheline jaotus on : scrub nurse /instrument nurse – Eestis - instrumenteeriv õde - töötab steriilsel alal, ulatab kirurgile instrumente; circulating nurse – Eestis - assisteeriv õde - töötab mittesteriilsel alal, aitab instrumenteerivat õde ja operatsioonimeeskonda.
An operating room nurse can perform either of the two roles at a time, a scrub nurse or a circulating nurse. A scrub nurse is also called “sterile nurse”, “instrument nurse”, or “assist nurse”. This is because he/she performs multiple tasks during an operation/procedure. They are completely responsible in the maintenance of sterility of the sterile area and materials. They can also have a direct access within the immediate surroundings of the operative site.
The scrub nurse passes instruments, sponges, and other items needed during the procedure. The title comes from the requirement to scrub their hands and arms with special disinfecting solutions.
