Let me preface this by saying that everything expressed in my posts are from "my personal experience only" and I have only worked at 1 hospital, so undoubtedly things may be different at my facility than at others.....o.k.?!
So, before I worked in surgery, I had heard that music is often played in the Operating Room during surgery. And once I started working, found out that this was very true....which is fine with me because I love to listen to almost all kinds of music.
My observations are that music helps keep things "light" in the room and can be a stress reliever, especially in a difficult/serious case. It seems to put people in a better mood and working mode.
There are times when having music is not really appropriate, such as when a patient is very critical, has suffered a serious trauma, is bleeding profusely, or is having to be "coded" (aka, we are losing them and they have to be defibrillated to try to bring them back).
There are all kinds of music listened to in the OR, and it is usually chosen according to the surgeon's preference. We have several in our hospital that like to listen to any kind of country music. Some surgeons like the 70's and 80's music. Some surgeons even bring in their own CD's or Ipods with music of their choosing. I was on call one night and had to come in the wee hours of the morning for an emergency appendectomy....this surgeon brought his Ipod and we listened to Led Zeppelin! I hadn't heard "Stairway to Heaven" in a loooong time before that!
One last thing, the music usually is not turned on until after the patient is "asleep" or intubated and is turned down if it impairs communication among staff.
Anyway, working in the Operating Room can be fun!
6 comments:
I've always wondered what goes on in the OR room. I think it's a great idea.
You have the coolest job. I love this blog, its so interesting. You're doing a great job! Keep it up!
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Stop by and pick it up!
I've heard they listen to music... but never knew if it was true. I love music, so if I'm ever on the operating table, music in the background will be good. (even if I am out cold!)
I had a massive 5 hour ear reconstruction surgery, and after, my surgeon said he listened to Pink Floyd the whole time. I don't mind it at all. I work better to music myself.
I have been working in the OR as a RN for 10 years and yes, we listen to music at every hr of the day. Especially in the middle of the night to keep us awake. But....it's not surgeon's preference but our patient's. We believe hearing is the last to go as your going to sleep and the first to return. Wouldn't you want to hear from favorites?
Thanks for writing this.
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