What is the first action the CST must take once the patient leaves the room?

The first action the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) must take once the patient leaves the room is to remove all sharps from the field. This step is critical for ensuring patient and staff safety. Sharps, such as scalpels, needles, and other pointed or cutting instruments, pose significant risks for cuts or puncture wounds. By removing them immediately, the CST minimizes the potential for accidents or injuries that could occur if left unattended in the surgical environment.

Following this action, other important tasks such as preparing the room for the next patient, documenting the procedure, and cleaning surgical instruments will also need to be performed, but the immediate priority focuses on safety regarding sharps. Therefore, ensuring all sharp items are secured, disposed of, or contained is fundamental to maintaining a safe working environment post-operation.