Some Common Medical/Surgical Prefixes, Suffixes and Abbreviations

Some common medical prefixes: 1. "Angio..." Related to the blood vessels (Angioplasty, etc.) 2. "Lobo..." Relating to either the brain or lungs. (Lobotomy, etc.) 3. "Nephro..." Relating to the kidneys. (A Nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in medical conditions impacting the kidneys.) 4. "Hyster ..." Relating to the uterus. (Hysterectomy, etc.) 5. "Gastro ..." Relating to the stomach (Gastroenteritis, etc.) 6. "Myo..." Related to muscle tissue 6. "Arthr..." Related to the joints. (Arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, etc.) 7. "Encephal..." Related to the brain (Encephalitis, etc.) Some common medical suffixes: 1. Something or other... "itis" Whatever the 'something' is is inflamed and possibly infected. (Pancreatitis, appendicitis, tonsillitis, etc.) 2. "...ectomy" The removal of whatever body part precedes it.

(Appendisectomy, tonsillectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, hysterectomy, etc.) 3. "... otomy" A surgical incision into whatever precedes it. 4. "... scentesis" The surgical puncturing of something - deliberately (Amniocentesis to draw fluid from the uterine sac to check on the condition of a fetus.) 5. "...septic" From a Greek word meaning putrefaction (rotting), as "sepsis" it is used to refer to an infection of the entire system, particularly through the circulatory (blood) system and is considered quite serious. The opposite, of course, is "Antiseptic"... the purification of something from germs and bacterial contamination. 6. "... ostomy" The putting a hole in something in the hopes that it will help it function better. (colonostomy) 7. "... plasty" To modify or reshape. (A "nose job" is a rhinoplasty, etc.)
8. "... oid" Similar to. 9: "...scopy" To look (Colonoscopy, sphygmoidoscopy, etc.) Not only is the handwriting of medical practitioners customarily difficult (or impossible) to decipher by anyone but another doctor, nurse of pharmacist, so their actual language, too, can be confusing and unclear. A few of the more common abbreviations used on written medical prescriptions: Most are derived from the Latin, the formal and traditional language or early medical practice. No direct (literal) translations are given, but here is what many of the abbreviations the doctor and pharmacist communicate with on your prescriptions mean: 1. "ad" = up to (defining a limit.) 2. "buss" = Inside the cheek 3. "c" (With a straight line on top of it) = With 4. "cf" = With food

5. "h.s." = at bedtime 6. "bid"+ twice a day 7. "tid"= three times a day 8. "qd"= daily 9. "o.p.d."= once per day 10. "q.a.d." = every other day 11. "q.i.d" = four times a day 12. "sig" = write on label 13. "sl" = sublingually, under the tongue 14. "wf" = with food None of these lists in complete but each is intended to help you, as a patient, understand more of what is said and written about you by medical professionals. I hope you find it useful.

How to Set Up an Operating Room

By an eHow Contributor

Operating rooms are an important part of a hospital and allow surgeons and other operating room staff members to provide life-saving treatments to patients. Setting up an operating room properly can help assist health care providers by allowing them to work in an efficient and timely manner, which is critical when performing life-saving procedures. Organized operating rooms give health care providers the opportunity to focus on procedures and treatments and offer a safe and friendly environment for them to work in.

Instructions
Preparing an Operating Room for Surgery 1. 1

Designate an area outside of each operating room for health care providers to prepare for surgery. Make sinks with foot pedal controls, scrub kits (which contain an antiseptic soap and brush), sterile towels, gowns, goggles, shoe covers, masks and head covers available in this area. Ensure there is enough space for multiple health care providers to scrub up simultaneously prior to each procedure.
2. 2

Make several tables available in each operating room. One long table will be needed for the patient to lie on while undergoing surgery. Use small tables to hold equipment needed for each procedure. Prior to the patient's arrival, make sure the tables are cleaned and ready. Lay out all of the equipment needed for the procedure (scalpels, clamps, scissors, etc.) on the smaller tables in an area where they can be easily reached. Cover the equipment with sterile sheets until surgery begins.
3. 3

At the head of the patient table, make an area for the equipment needed for anesthesia and respiratory needs. Place ventilators, intubation equipment, oxygen tanks, oxygenmonitoring devices and IV pumps in the area designated for anesthesia. Make sure the ventilator has the proper tubing connected and is in working order. Position the ventilator and oxygen-monitoring devices in a place where they can be easily seen and monitored during each procedure.
4. 4

Place a heart monitor, blood pressure measuring device, pulse and respiration monitors, thermometers and other devices that monitor vital signs near the patient where they can be seen and monitored easily without interfering with the surgery. Make sure the monitor screens can be seen and heard by health care providers during the procedure.
5. 5

Set up an area to store equipment. Place extra equipment and equipment not in use in a secure place which is easily accessible. Keep equipment organized by grouping all equipment needed for certain procedures together when possible. Label containers, drawers and cabinets according to their contents.

Tips & Warnings

Assure all equipment is in working order prior to use. Check expiration dates on all medications prior to use. Sterilize all non-disposable equipment prior to use. Make sure the operating room and all contents are cleaned prior to use. Never reuse equipment without sterilizing it after each use.

Never reuse disposable equipment.