The Solo Assist

One time on a travel assignment, I was assigned a bariatric case with a newer nurse in a preceptor role. I always enjoyed teaching people coming into the OR because workflow, leadership, and awareness always mattered to me.

That day all of it was tested at once.

Early in the case, the surgeon asked me to help drape the solo assist. At that point I was about 8 years into my career, but I had never actually seen one used before.

I approached the bed and pulled the drape down over the arm. What I didn't realize was the surgeon had adjusted the arm position while I was bent down. As I stood back up, the protruding finger of the assist caught me directly across my back, leaving a long scratch only about an inch away from my spine.

The surgeon's immediate response was: "Great... you contaminated my assist."

Meanwhile I was standing there in obvious pain while the nurse I was precepting asked, "OMG are you okay?"

Ironically, the compassion came from the newer nurse.

The surgeon then casually said: "That's not the first time that's happened."

At that moment I felt the urge to lose my composure and say exactly what I thought.

But I remember telling myself: These are the moments where all the work you do on yourself gets tested.

Not when things are easy. Not when everyone is respectful. But when you're uncomfortable, frustrated, and still expected to lead.

By the end of the day it turned out to be only a long scratch with no swelling or lasting pain, and thankfully no issues to this day.

Looking back, reporting it probably would have been the safer decision in case complications developed later.

But what stayed with me most wasn't the scratch.

It was the reminder that leadership is tested most when things are not going your way.

And if I'm being honest, while the surgeon shared some responsibility, so did I. I could have been a little more aware of my surroundings in that moment.

That's the OR sometimes. Constant movement. Constant pressure. Constant opportunities to either react... or regulate yourself.

Anyone else ever have a moment in the OR where your composure got tested unexpectedly?