J U L Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 3 9
Channel Surfing
What if you could click away from a bad day?
I
used to carry a remote control made of
foam rubber with me in surgery that I'd
squeeze to help me deal with the stress-
ful moments. When I was taking more than
my fair share of trash from all sides, I'd pull
out the rubber remote and press the buttons.
When the surgeon asked what I was up to, I'd
say, "I'm trying to find the button that mutes
you." Not very professional, but it was a lot
more professional than the words the sur-
geon was slinging at me. And I haven't
stopped thinking about what it would be like
to own a remote that lets you control your
OR work day.
Let's see what's on
First off, I wouldn't even press the power
button on a Monday. Who in their right mind
would ever do that? If I were forced to show
up, however, and the on-off button didn't
work, I'd want to see the on-screen program
guide. If this Monday looks anything like the
last one, I sure don't want to sit through a
rerun.
I click the button. In OR 1 we have eyes. I don't do eyes. That oph-
thalmic surgeon thinks his staff, scrub and circulator should all have
PhDs to work on his cases. If I'm going back to school for anything, it's
going to be for something fun, like making cupcakes.
Behind Closed Doors
Paula Watkins, RN, CNOR
Would a universal
remote help us
to avoid tough
situations, or just
leave us easily
dissatisfied with
whichever
ones we find
ourselves in?
