Surgical Technologist Week
WHEREAS, the Association of Surgical Technologists was officially created as a nonprofit educational association in 1969 with the support of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Hospital Association; andWHEREAS, the Association’s foremost goal centers around ensuring that surgical technologists, through accredited surgical technology programs, certification and continuing education requirements, continue to administer the highest quality care to the surgical patient; andWHEREAS, the surgical technology profession has grown to meet the continuing demand for well-educated, highly skilled, and versatile individuals to work with surgeons and other skilled professionals to deliver the highest possible level of patient care; and
WHEREAS, surgical technologists are integral members of the surgical team, working closely with the surgeon, and in alliance with the registered nurse, delivering direct patient care and ensuring patient safety before and during the operative procedure; and
WHEREAS, surgical technologists are entrusted with the lives and well-being of patients and provide a critical service during surgical procedures; and
WHEREAS, surgical technologists are skilled professionals uniquely prepared for, and proud of their role on, surgical teams in hospitals across the country and in Alabama, where an estimated 1,800 surgical technologists, of the nearly 80,000 surgical technologists nationally, are employed; and
WHEREAS, surgical technologists are responsible for the application of sterile and aseptic technique in the operating room, ensuring that equipment functions properly and facilitating safe and effective conduct during invasive surgical procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Joint Commission’s Annual Report on Quality and Safety of 2007 reported that surgical site infections were the second most common hospital-acquired infections in the United States; and
WHEREAS, surgical technologists strive to prevent life-threatening surgical site infections and maximize patient safety; and
WHEREAS, Certified Surgical Technologists graduate from an accredited program and receive certification conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting based upon passage of the national examination; and
WHEREAS, the surgical technologist’s motto “Aeger Primo, The Patient First” reflects total commitment to patient safety and advocacy;
The people of our state are honored to join with our nation in recognizing National Surgical Technologist Week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the state of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of September 20 – 26, 2015 as
Surgical Technologist Week
across Alabama, and I and urge all my fellow citizens to join me in acknowledging the important role of surgical technologists in the care and recovery of their patients. We honor these men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep the residents of our state safe and healthy.
Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov