Rawesome Vets · Internal Staff Protocol
Surgery Set Up & Close
Nursing Team
Vets Only
Surgery
Version 1.1 · April 2026 · For internal staff use
Set Up
- Turn on lights — leave surgical lights off until surgery time.
- Turn on O2. Check pressure gauge is reading correctly.
- Turn on computer. Open OpenVPMS — confirm all surgical patient files are created, weights entered, and fasting status noted.
- Place hot water bottles on a towel in surgery.
- Make up a bowl of Chlorhex water.
- Spray sutures with alcohol; include nylon on the anaesthetic machine.
- Clean needle pots.
- Set up recovery boxes and beds.
- Fill ultrasonic cleaner and sink with soapy water.
Done looks like this
- O2 on, pressure gauge checked
- All surgical patient files in OpenVPMS — weights confirmed, fasting noted
- Hot water bottles in place and warm
- Chlorhex bowl made up and on the bench
- Ultrasonic cleaner filled and switched on
- Recovery boxes and beds ready
- Complete at least 15 minutes before first scheduled surgery
| Situation | What to do |
|---|
| Surgical patient file missing or incomplete | Tell the vet immediately — do not start prep for that patient until resolved. |
| Owner reports patient was fed (not fasted) | Tell the vet immediately. Do not prep the patient. Vet decides whether to proceed. |
| O2 pressure reading low or zero | Tell the vet immediately. Do not proceed until resolved. |
Close
- Turn off ISO.
- Turn off O2.
- Take bins out and replace bin liners.
- Wipe all surfaces — no blood, no debris, no clots.
- Disconnect and hang anaesthetic tubes.
- Dental machine: depressurise and clean thoroughly after every dental procedure.
Done looks like this
- ISO off, O2 off — both verified before leaving theatre
- All surfaces wiped — no blood or debris visible
- Anaesthetic tubes disconnected and hanging (not coiled on the floor)
- Bins emptied and freshly lined
- Dental machine depressurised and cleaned if used today
- Theatre door closed
Never skip: ISO and O2 must be turned off after every surgical session. If you are unsure whether they are off — check again before you leave theatre.
Sign Off
Confirm you have read and understood this SOP.