Low to No Risk

21

Moderate Risk

0

High Risk

3

Extreme Risk

2

• 1.2Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
• 1.6Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
• 0.5Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
• 2.1Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
• 0.3Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
• 1Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
• 2Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
• 0.5Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
• 0.8Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
• 1.7Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
• 1Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
• 2.5Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
• 2.4Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
• 2.5Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
• 0.8Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
• 0.1Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
• 2.1Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
• 1.5Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
• 2.4Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
• 2.7Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
• 2.3Verify the identity of patient or operative site.

14.3% of Surgical Assistants tasks can be automated with AI or robotics