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Education Spotlight
Insights, stories, and surgical skill-building from real professionals.
A ChloraPrep Recall Is Bigger Than One Product: What OR Teams Should Understand About Downstream Recalls
When a recalled component is already inside a kit, finding it becomes an operations problem—not simply a shelf check. What happens when the recalled product isn’t sitting on the shelf by itself—but is already packed inside your procedure kits? That is the larger lesson emerging from recent actions involving BD ChloraPrep products and Medline convenience kits. In June 2026, BD recalled specific lots of ChloraPrep Clear 1 mL and FREPP Clear 1.5 mL applicators because of potenti
Mastering Operating Room Etiquette: A Guide for Newcomers
Operating rooms have their own unique culture and set of expectations, with etiquette that every team member should know, especially newcomers. Respecting this environment isn’t just about following protocols—it’s about contributing to a safe and efficient space for everyone. First, recognize the roles of the circulating nurse and surgical tech. These are the people who keep the OR running smoothly. Introduce yourself, communicate your needs, and respect their expertise. A sm
Humanoid Robots in the Operating Room? Researchers Say It's Time to Start the Conversation.
We've gotten used to hearing the words "robotic surgery." But imagine walking into an operating room and seeing something very different: A humanoid robot. Not a robotic system fixed beside the operating table. A mobile, human-shaped machine capable of interacting with the physical environment around it. That idea sounds like science fiction. In 2026, it became a serious topic in surgical research. Researchers writing in npj Digital Medicine proposed a staged framework for ev
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
13 minutes ago3 min read
AI Just Assisted During Live Brain Surgery. What Does That Mean for the OR Team?
Artificial intelligence has officially moved beyond analyzing charts, images, and data after the fact. It is beginning to enter the operating room in real time. In August 2026, University College London and University College London Hospitals announced the first patient in a clinical trial using an artificial intelligence system to support a neurosurgeon during live brain surgery. The technology analyzed the surgical video feed and highlighted critical anatomy while the opera
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
3 days ago3 min read
When a Device Can Separate During Use: What the ENROUTE Recall Teaches OR Teams About Equipment Vigilance
The Boston Scientific ENROUTE recall is a reminder that device safety depends on more than opening the right product—it also depends on traceability, communication, and knowing when equipment has been removed from use. What happens when a device looks ready for use—but a known failure may happen during the procedure? That is the operational question behind a recent Class I recall involving Boston Scientific’s ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System. The FDA updated its co
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
6 days ago4 min read
Four Surgical Patients Received the Wrong Medication. The Lesson Isn't “Be More Careful.”
On August 14, 2026, four patients arrived at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville for joint-replacement procedures. They were supposed to receive the anesthetic medication mepivacaine. Instead, they received potassium phosphate. All four experienced serious adverse reactions. When a story like this reaches the news, the immediate reaction is understandable: How could someone make that mistake? But after reviewing what investigators found, there is a more impor
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 176 min read
Robotic Surgery Is Becoming a Multi-Platform Market. Is the Surgical Workforce Ready?
Medtronic’s approximately $700 million Cornerstone Robotics investment raises a workforce question that goes far beyond one company. The next generation of OR professionals may not learn one robotic system. They may have to learn several. On September 1, 2026, Medtronic announced an approximately $700 million investment in Cornerstone Robotics. The agreement includes rights for Medtronic to distribute Cornerstone’s Sentire surgical system in selected markets outside the Unite
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 152 min read
The Safety Check Nobody Celebrates: Why Inspecting Equipment Before Use Still Matters
Patient safety is often built through ordinary habits performed consistently. Some of the most important patient-safety moments happen before anybody knows there was ever a problem. On September 3, 2026, the FDA issued an Early Alert involving certain Draeger VentStar Resus Neo breathing circuits. According to the FDA, Draeger had received reports in which users identified obvious cracks in affected hoses before use. A damaged hose could leak or detach, potentially interferin
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 122 min read
A ChloraPrep Recall Is Bigger Than One Product: What OR Teams Should Understand About Downstream Recalls
When a recalled component is already inside a kit, finding it becomes an operations problem—not simply a shelf check. What happens when the recalled product isn’t sitting on the shelf by itself—but is already packed inside your procedure kits? That is the larger lesson emerging from recent actions involving BD ChloraPrep products and Medline convenience kits. In June 2026, BD recalled specific lots of ChloraPrep Clear 1 mL and FREPP Clear 1.5 mL applicators because of potenti
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 103 min read
The OR Can Have the Right Team and Still Be Unable to Operate: Why Hospital Infrastructure Matters
Surgery depends on far more than surgeons, staff, and instruments. It also depends on systems most people never see. What good is a fully staffed operating room if the room itself can’t safely function? A recent disruption at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London offers a striking reminder that operating rooms depend on infrastructure just as much as they depend on clinical teams. According to reporting published in early September, a power failure forced nine of the hospita
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 83 min read
Chromic and Plain Gut Discontinued: What You should know about Johnson & Johnson MedTech Changing Its U.S. Surgery Portfolio
The products we use in surgery do not exist in a vacuum. Manufacturers change portfolios, facilities adjust purchasing strategies, technologies evolve, and products that have been familiar in the operating room can eventually be replaced or discontinued. Johnson & Johnson MedTech recently announced one of those changes. In a customer letter dated February 12, 2026, Johnson & Johnson stated that it is simplifying its surgery portfolio and directing greater focus toward advance
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 13 min read
What the HeartString Device Taught Me About Possibility in the OR
One of the most fascinating things about being in the OR — especially in cardiac surgery — is realizing just how many tools, techniques, and technologies exist that you never learn about in the classroom. Take the HeartString device , for example. 🫀 It’s used in coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) , and most students will go through their entire program without ever seeing one. In a CABG, a vein is removed endoscopically from the patient’s leg and used as an auto
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Apr 22 min read
Know Your Blades — and Handle Them with Care
None of these blades are correct 😅 Just look and laugh Every blade in the OR has a purpose — and knowing which is which isn’t just about passing instruments; it’s about understanding why each one is used and when. • #10 : The workhorse. This is the most frequently used blade and usually the one used to make the first incision in an open case. • #11 : Designed for precision punctures. I’ve seen this one used often in endoscopic procedures. • #12 : Rarely used in my own exper
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Mar 51 min read
Another Study Tip: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone (Literally)
Studying from home sounds like a great idea — until it isn’t. Sure, I have a home office. It’s set up beautifully from my medical coding days, complete with desk space, Wi-Fi, all my study guides, and every resource I could possibly need. But here’s the problem: it’s also the easiest place to get distracted. In the comfort of my own home, I can do just about anything but study. I’ll start by reviewing a few pages, then suddenly I’m watching TV, taking a nap, or deep-cleanin
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Feb 51 min read
No, I Don’t Want to Be a Nurse — And That’s Okay
Let me go ahead and say this loud and clear: Tatyana does not want to be a nurse. (Yes, I third-personed that. 😂) Now before anyone gets it twisted — this is not a post bashing nursing. This is about being honest with yourself, your passions, and the path that’s right for you. There’s this unspoken assumption in healthcare that surgical technology is just a stepping stone — something you do until you become a nurse or go to med school. And for some people, it is. And tha
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Jan 12 min read
Sundays in Surgery: The Importance of Monocryl Sutures
If you’re in surgery, Sundays aren’t for rest — they’re for sutures. Spotlight on Monocryl Sutures Today’s spotlight is on Monocryl (by Ethicon), a popular absorbable, monofilament suture typically used for skin closure . If you’re more familiar with Medtronic/Covidien products, Monocryl is comparable to Biosyn or Caprosyn . Because it’s used to close the incision at the end of a procedure, Monocryl is usually the last suture passed . This also means it’s the last one coun
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Dec 4, 20253 min read
Mastering Instrument Counting: A Guide for Surgical Technologists
Instrument counting is one of those fundamental skills that often gets rushed or glossed over — but trust me, getting it right matters. Not just for the case, but for the culture of safety and trust in the OR. The Importance of Accurate Instrument Counting Accurate instrument counting is crucial in the operating room. It ensures that all instruments are accounted for before, during, and after a surgical procedure. This practice not only safeguards patient safety but also fos
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Nov 6, 20253 min read
Mastering Exam Prep: A Guide for Surgical Technologists
The Importance of Practice Questions When preparing for exams in surgical tech school, practice questions are more than just a way to test what you know — they're a way to learn what you don’t. As a student, before our break, my instructor handed out three practice exam packets — 553 questions in total. Instead of just flipping through them casually, I created a system that helped me actually absorb the material. My Proven Study System Here’s how I do it: Step 1: Take the Q
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Oct 2, 20252 min read
AV Fistula Setup: The Vascular Case Everyone Should Know
If you’ve been around here a while, you know I love a good vascular case — even the smaller ones like an AV fistula setup. It might not be as intense as a big bypass or endovascular repair, but arteriovenous fistulas are crucial procedures for dialysis access, and they show up often in both general and vascular specialties. That means whether you’re deep into vascular or just rotating through general surgery, knowing how to set one up is a valuable skill. Here’s what you’
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Sep 4, 20252 min read
Self-Sufficiency in the OR: Why You Should Always Be Ready to Open Your Own Room
Here’s a truth they don’t always tell you in school: you won’t always have someone helping you open your room. And that’s especially true in high-stakes environments like open heart surgery. I recently opened every supply and every suture for a cardiac case — solo. Scrubbed in. Set it all up. No assistant, no backup. Just me and my preparation. It’s not about ego. It’s about reality. Operating rooms are often understaffed. Circulators are juggling their own pre-op checklist
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Aug 7, 20251 min read
How to Drape a Mayo Stand Like a Pro
One of the first sterile skills you’ll learn — and use almost every day — is how to drape a mayo stand. It’s one of the three main sterile surfaces you’ll rely on in surgery, along with your back table and ring stand. But the mayo? That’s your ride-or-die. It’s where all your immediate-use instruments and go-to supplies live. As the case evolves, so will your mayo stand setup — short instruments become long ones, and the surface stays dynamic and central to the case. Here’s
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Jul 3, 20251 min read
Going Back to School Isn’t Easy — And That’s Okay
Can we talk about how hard it is to go back to school when you’re already building a life? It’s one thing to head into a program straight out of high school — when everything is new, and your world is still wide open. But when you’re juggling responsibilities, work, maybe family, and then adding school on top of it? That hits different. Don’t get me wrong — I absolutely love what I’m in school for. I love surgery. I love the rhythm of setting up a back table. I live for that
Tatyana L., CST, CCS
Jun 19, 20251 min read
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