Posted By Brett Webb
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could help. We are looking for a solution to raising and lowering the scrub nurse in the operating room, so they are able to be at the appropriate height of the operating table.

We were looking at a mechanical solution, although we can't find a purpose built worker lift we could use for this problem.

We have looked at modifying another lifting device, although to be able to comply with the H&S Act to convert the device to human use is quite expensive.

Any help health care specific or not would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brett.

Posted By Brett Webb
We've tried hiring taller nurses, but there is some problem with equal employment.

Although serously, the operating table to lifted to suit the surgeon (as you would expect), this can result in the scrub nurse needing to be raised up to 40 inches, depending on the height of the nurse.

Posted By Ian Blenkharn
Many long hours spent in an operating theatre taught me so many things. Two of these are that i) the key players, and the scrub nurse in particular, stand more or less still throughout the procedure, and ii) that duck boards are very common as a tool to bring people up to a comfortable working height.

There might be lots of issues with duck boards - slips and trips must be at the top of the list, but I don't know of any accidents that have happened. Realistically, the only person at the side of the scrub nurse is the surgeon, who is standing still. And in front, we must hope that the patient is asleep.

Ian

PS, don't forget about the tall and willowly scrub nurse who has to stoop over a diminutive surgeon for hours on end!