What is a primary duty for the CST at the conclusion of a surgical case?

The primary duty for the surgical technologist (CST) at the conclusion of a surgical case involves the care of specimens. This responsibility is crucial because specimens may need to be preserved for diagnostic purposes, such as pathology analysis. The CST must ensure that specimens are properly labeled, organized, and secured to prevent any loss or contamination that could affect patient care.

Handling specimens correctly also involves adhering to specific protocols for their transport and storage until they can be processed by the laboratory. This duty is vital for the accurate diagnosis and management of the patient's condition following surgery.

While documenting equipment usage, cleaning the operating room, and initiating patient discharge are important tasks in the overall surgical process, they typically do not take precedence over the immediate and careful management of surgical specimens at the end of a procedure. Proper specimen care directly impacts patient outcomes and the overall integrity of surgical procedures.