Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) Staff

Children’s of Alabama is the only hospital in the state providing surgical care for pediatric patients with complex congenital and acquired heart conditions. CVOR nurses are essential members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team specializing in surgical care for the pediatric heart patient. Surgical cases performed in the CVOR include procedures to correct congenital and acquired heart defects, heart transplants and placement of ventricular assist devices as a “bridge to transplant”.

The CVOR has two dedicated cardiac operating rooms. Surgeries are also performed in outlier procedure areas, which include the CVICU and Cardiac Cath Hybrid Room.

The CVOR unit’s nurses work in one of three roles:

• Circulating nurse: non-sterile team member, manages overall nursing care in the operating room including positioning and preparing the patient for surgery; establishing & maintaining the sterile field and nursing documentation
• Scrub nurse: sterile team member, prepares the sterile field and handles instruments and supplies during the procedure
• RN first assistant: sterile team member, directly assists the surgeon during the procedure