Life outside the OR...
Adam Petro ‘10
I'm spending my summer in Indianapolis working the evening shift at Methodist Hospital. I am an "Instrument Technician" in the sterile processing department in Surgery. What does this mean? It basically means that I help to decontaminate/wash surgical instruments after being used in surgery. In addition, I inspect and assemble a variety of instrument sets and wrap them to be sterilized in either: Steam, Ethylene Oxide, or Sterrad Plasma Vapor. After they are sterilized, I help to pick instruments that are needed for surgical procedures and deliver them to the OR suite.
In order to do all of this, I was required to learn the names of instruments from General and GYN surgery, along with learning Plastics, Orthopedic, and ENT surgical instruments too. I use the computer to access inventory count sheets and to scan instruments for tracking, and I answer phone calls from the OR nurses who are requesting instruments for elective or emergent cases.
When I deliver the instruments to the OR suite, I am able to observe a variety of surgical procedures, which is really cool. The pictures here show what I look like with my 7 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) on for the decontam area. It protects me from being exposed to potentially infectious microorganisms. The second picture shows me holding some 'steinman pins' that are inserted into bone during orthopedic procedures.
I really enjoy this job not only because it pays well, but also because it exposes me to the healthcare environment in which I am interested in pursuing after graduation. Who knows...I might be operating on you someday. Ha!
For the most part, it is a serious job that requires attention to detail and accuracy. My job impacts the quality of patient care, as I need to be sure that the instruments are cleaned and sterilized to prevent nosocomial infections. In addition, I need to be sure that the instruments are not missing in the sets and/or not broken which could cause harm to the patient or delay.
When I'm not working, I have been swimming with the Southside Swim Club and hanging out with my girlfriend, Stephanie. It's been a great summer so far, but I must admit…I am looking forward to coming back to Wabash in August!
Comments
First of all I would like to say I think what your doing is fantastic. I'm enter Wabash this fall as a freshman. My chosen course of study is biology. I hope that one day I do go to medical school Reading your blog and seeing all the wonderfull benefits is realy exciting. Your doing what I would love to do. Because of reading this I'm probably going to apply for a position like that at my local hospitals. I thought you needed some kind of certification or something. How did you get set up with your current job?
Posted by: Diamond Reese | July 2, 2007 04:46 PM
Adam,
First of all, I want you job.
Secondly, I am glad to hear that you're taking advantage of training with great men like Jimmy, and Craig. Soon you will be reunited with the team that helped you achieve great things at Nationals. Hopefully we incoming freshman can play a roll in bringing a possible/probable relay team to the big dance.
Lastly, do you think i can get one of those face guards for when I tear up the pool at my championship meets this season? You see, I figure I'll be swimming so fast, my face will simply peal right off of the bone unless I wear some sort of shield. If you could get one of those sent to my address ASAP, I'd appreciate it. =]
With sincere anticipation...
G.Daniel Michael
Posted by: G. Daniel Michael (G-Dan) | July 5, 2007 09:38 PM
Petro - how'd that hot chick ever agree to hang out with a "funny guy" like you? PS - You're my hero.
Posted by: P Casares | July 17, 2007 03:23 PM
Hey dude whats up i found this online and i wanted to say hi. You should take that picture down because it is old and you arent going out with her anymore
Posted by: David Krutz | September 26, 2007 10:43 AM