PAS - 542 Fundamentals of Surgery

An introduction to surgical concepts needed for the physician assistant to provide care and assist the surgeon in major surgical areas, such as a day surgery unit or a hospital operating room. Lectures will discuss indications for surgery and surgical concepts and techniques such as asepsis, anesthesia (general, local and conscious sedation) and wound management. Specific surgical techniques used for day surgery, elective surgery, emergency surgery, abdominal and thoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgery, microsurgery and organ transplant surgery will be described. Pre- and postoperative patient assessment and management will be discussed. A lab component to the course will cover basic procedural skills required for clinical practice, such as aseptic technique, phlebotomy technique, IV placement, injection techniques, basic suturing skills, intubation and airway management, sterile gowning and gloving and insertion of nasogastric and foley tubes are taught as a subcomponent of this course. BLS and ACLS skills and certification will be obtained as a part of this course as well. Credit Hours: (3)