Moments in Medicine with Dr. Alex Simpson
In this "Moments in Medicine" vlog, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alex Simpson takes viewers behind the scenes of a day at the surgery center.
Here is a breakdown of how his day unfolds:
-
Early Morning Routine: The day starts early at 4:30 AM with a quick workout before heading to the surgery center.
-
The First Surgery: Dr. Simpson begins by repairing a patient's broken foot, making sure to set up some music in the operating room to keep the energy up.
-
Meet the OR Team: He introduces his operating room crew and outlines their essential roles:
-
Tammy (Nurse): Guarantees patient safety and handles the transition from pre-op to the OR.
-
Caitlyn (Scrub Tech): Preps and hands off the surgical instruments.
-
Miranda (Right Hand): Helps facilitate the day, positions patients, and assists Dr. Simpson in moving between rooms.
-
Dr. Harden (Anesthesiologist): Monitors and maintains patient safety through anesthesia.
-
-
Post-Op Communication: Following the first surgery, he immediately calls the patient's family to let them know everything went great and provides an expected pickup window.
-
Pre-Op for the Second Case: He checks in with his next patient to verify the surgery site (the left ankle) and answer final questions. He reviews the plan (arthroscopic cleanup of scar tissue and repairing external tendons/ligaments) and reminds the patient to remain 100% non-weight-bearing in a temporary splint.
-
Radiation Safety: Before heading back in, he highlights the heavy lead gowns the team wears to protect themselves from X-ray radiation during procedures.
-
Wrapping Up: After finishing his cases for the morning, he notes that it was a shorter "half-day" of surgeries, leaving the afternoon open to catch up on administrative office work.