Ward Surgery: Crossing the Boundary Summary and Analysis

The walk-rounds began at six-thirty in the morning with Konner's class that gathered in the E.W. Half were in mid-shift and half were beginning their shift as they transferred overnight information. Chief surgical resident Marty Wentworth appeared to announce their departure as they marched upstairs to the wards. Fifteen medical personnel in the group rudely woke patients as they hurriedly completed rounds to begin assignments. Konner had scrubbed in during Anesthesia and Basic Clinical Skills, but scrubbing this first time for Marty felt real in preparation for the gallbladder removal scheduled.

The new intern Mike Colucci would do the procedure while Marty watched. They finished scrubbing and backed into the O.R. touching nothing while the surgical nurse helped get gloves and gowns on them. The patient was ready and Mike began...