This course intends to introduce the student to the practice of sur­gical patient care. Preoperative and postoperative routines as well as some of the responsibilities of the surgical technologist in the circulating role are discussed. The bio-psycho-social needs of the patient are addressed in addition to patient identification, review of the chart, documentation, surgical transport and positioning, skin preparation, urinary catheterization, specimen care, wound clas­sification, vital signs, hemo-dynamics, monitoring, and discharge planning. The student will learn appropriate response to legal, ethical, and moral issues, as well as emergency situations and personnel safety practices as outlined by OSHA Standards.