Health considerations for the HQHVSN surgeon
Authors: White, S.
Pages: 553-573
DOI: 10.1002/9781119646006.ch31
Abstract:High-quality high-volume spay-neuter (HQHVSN) and shelter surgery can be rewarding, but at times it can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. Health and wellbeing are important not only for surgeons’ quality of life, but also for their longevity in the field of HQHVSN, and the quality of patient care that they can provide. This chapter discusses general safety, physical ergonomics, and mental health, stress, and wellbeing, and provides information on how to minimize associated risks for surgeons and staff. There are numerous hazards associated with animal care and surgical workplaces, and excellent resources are available that describe these hazards and provide precautionary measures to minimize their harm. These hazards may be chemical (waste anesthetic gases, disinfectants), biologic (zoonoses, allergies), or physical (patient handling concerns, equipment malfunction, sharps injuries). Because of the ready availability of these resources, discussion of general safety in the chapter is limited to waste anesthetic gas exposure and animal handling safety.
Source: Scopus
