Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice

Learn to deliver the best patient care before, during, and after surgery with Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice, 7th Edition. Within its pages you’ll find comprehensive coverage of all the updated AST Core Curriculum components ― including all aspects of health care sciences; technological sciences; patient care concepts; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care; surgical procedures; and professional practice. But what you won’t find in any other surg tech book is an incredibly reader-friendly approach featuring conversational, mentor-like guidance and loads of full-color pictures and illustrations. You’ll also have an abundance of helpful learning features at your disposal ― like case studies, review questions, and online learning activities ― that will help you easily master important concepts and apply that learning to professional practice. No other surgical technology text better prepares you for the challenges of professional practice!

• Comprehensive coverage addresses all areas of the AST Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.
• Reader-friendly writing style and organization utilizes a mentoring approach to present content within the building blocks of fundamentals, aseptic technique, the role and function of the surgical technologist, and surgical procedures.
• Consistent chapter format breaks down each surgical procedure in an easy-to-understand way making it easy for students to comprehend the key elements of more than 70 procedures.
• Experienced author/consulting editor team lends a breadth of experience for a well-rounded view of life in the operating room and multiple perspective focused on quality patient care.
• Over 1,200 full-color illustrations and clinical photos bring concepts and procedures to life.
• Robust practice opportunities include review questions and case studies at the end of each chapter.
• Learning objectives serve as checkpoints for comprehension and as study tools in preparation for examinations.
• Key terminology appears in boldface and in color within chapter discussions and are defined and cross-referenced to chapters in a back-of-book glossary.
• Key concepts are covered in a bulleted list at the end of each chapter discussion to summarize and rephrase chapter concepts.
• References and bibliographies provide a listing of in-text and additional citations of scientific research.
• Pathology appendix summarizes the most commonly seen pathological processes and organizes them by body system.
• Website mentions are highlighted within the text to draw readers’ attention to suggested websites to visit for additional information on content covered.

• NEW! Content on dynamic topics focus on emerging areas of research and study including the latest equipment and technology, robotics and lasers, advances in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurological surgeries, and professionalism.
• NEW! Improved surgical procedures now incorporate pathology, technical points and discussion, as well as information on patient positioning, prepping, draping, incision, instruments, and supplies.
• NEW! Instrument tables showcase relevant instruments and accompanying sizes in an illustrated format.
• NEW! Expanded technique boxes succinctly summarize the key steps within skills or procedures to highlight core competencies. 
• NEW! Knowledge and skills review at the beginning of chapters alerts readers to key information and skills incorporated into chapter discussion.
• NEW! Updated artwork and photographs feature the most current supplies and equipment to vividly demonstrate aseptic technique, sterilization and disinfection, surgical instruments, patient positioning, skin preparation, and draping.

Joanna Kotcher holds a master’s degree in Global Health, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a BA in International Studies. She’s coordinated emergency response in conflict environments over the past two decades in Kosovo, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Darfur, Gaza, Somaliland, Syria, and Iraq. As a Medical/Surgical Coordinator Ms. Kotcher has coordinated and managed medical teams in the start-up and full implementation stages of projects assisting populations in need of emergency medical and surgical care during armed conflict. She has also coordinated post-conflict actions during the period immediately following “official” cessation of armed conflict. Working in insecure environments, Ms. Kotcher has extensive experience in the design and implementation of medical/surgical actions, team building and support, implementation of standards and guidelines, medical and nursing staff training, and team mentoring. While continuing to study and learn in the field, she maintains memberships with notable professional organizations in humanitarian studies and medical/surgical assistance.