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CUTTING REMARKS
so when I hit the OR door, I become a beacon of optimism and cheerfulness. For others, the scrub sink means far more (or less):
• Gossip time. For many, the scrub sink is an opportunity to rehash
the latest gossip. Conversations range from the head nurse's hangover
to the flirtations of the chief of surgery. Others love to dwell on the
last night's ballgame scores. Conversations usually linger for several
minutes until the circulating nurse develops lactic acidosis from holding the prepped extremity, at which point she signals to the scrub
team to knock it off.
• Penance. For many afflicted with obsessive-compulsive traits,
the scrub can never go long enough. These poor souls spend 10
minutes on their forearms alone — for fear of passing on a rare
contagion to the patient. Twenty minutes later, the fingers are finally exposed to soap. Often the automatic water timer blows a fuse.
The only way for these tormented spirits to stop is to realize that
they have exfoliated their epidermises. Call the plastic surgeon!
• Nonchalance. The ultra-laid-back prototype sees scrubbing as a
needless inconvenience. These individuals endeavor to choose the
absolute path of least resistance. In their minds a quick splash of
"moisturizing crème" on their hands suffices. Forget about scrub
brushes — they're too intrusive! Please, again show me the data to
support this practice. And please do not let these folks operate on
me.
• ADHD. The poor impulse control style can be spotted several
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | D E C E M B E R 2012
