Surgical Technology

Joanna Kotcher holds a Master's Degree in Global Health, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a BA in International Studies. She has coordinated emergency response in conflict environments for the past 18 years in such locations as Kosovo, Central Asia (Tajikistan), Afghanistan, Darfur, Gaza and the OPT, 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 that assist 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. She continues to study and learn while working in the field and maintaining membership with notable professional organizations in the combined disciplines of humanitarian studies and medical/surgical assistance.

Part I: Surgical Technology Principles

1. The Surgical Technologist

2. Communication and Teamwork

3. Law, Documentation and Professional Ethics

4. The Healthcare Facility



Perioperative Environment
Facility Departments and Functions
Healthcare Administration

5. NEW! Disaster Preparedness and Response

6. The Patient

7. Diagnostic and Assessment Procedures

8. Environmental Hazards

9. Microbes and the Process of Infection

10. The Principles and Practice of Aseptic Technique

11. Decontamination, Sterilization, and Disinfection

12. Surgical Instruments

13. Perioperative Pharmacology

14. Anesthesia and Physiological Monitoring

15. Post Anesthesia Recovery

16. Death and Dying

17. Physics and Information Technology

18. Energy Sources in Surgery

19. Moving,�Handling,�and Positioning the Surgical Patient

20. Surgical Skin Prep and Draping

21. Case Planning and Intraoperative Roles

22. Management of the Surgical Wound

Part II: Surgical Technology Practice

23. General Surgery



Abdominal Wall
Gastrointestinal
Surgery of the Biliary System, Liver, Pancreas, and Spleen
Breast Surgery

24. Minimally Invasive Endoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Surgery

25. Gynecological and Obstetrical Surgery



Gynecological Surgery
Obstetrical Surgery

26.Genitourinary Surgery

27. Ophthalmic Surgery

28. Surgery of the Ear, Nose, Pharynx, and Larynx



The Ear
Surgery of the Nasal Cavity, Oropharynx, and Larynx
The Neck

29. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

30. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

31. Orthopedic Surgery

32. Peripheral Vascular Surgery

33. Thoracic and Pulmonary Surgery

34. Cardiac Surgery

35. Pediatric Surgery

36. Neurosurgery

37. NEW! Trauma Surgery

Glossary Index