Andrew S. Moon, MD
November 2, 2026
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Building trust with scrub techs and OR nurses is really no different from building trust with anyone else in the hospital. It comes down to being respectful, dependable, helpful, and understanding that everyone in the room is working toward the same goal of safely taking care of the patient.
A lot of that trust is built before the operation even starts. As a resident or fellow, you may be responsible for booking the case. Make sure the booking is done thoroughly and accurately, including the proper operating room table, instrumentation, and any necessary equipment such as fluoroscopy. Work with the implant representative to make sure the necessary trays are available and processed.
Make an effort to be easily available if the OR staff has questions about the table, positioning, Foley placement, implants, medications, equipment, or anything else that may affect the setup. Answering those questions early can prevent a lot of unnecessary stress once the patient is in the room, and good communication helps the room run more smoothly. The same goes for the smaller things. If someone needs supplies such as gloves, sutures, or positioning equipment, and you’re able to help, there’s no reason not to pitch in. It may seem minor, but those small interactions matter, and people quickly recognize who is willing to help.
Being available in pre-op is part of this process as well. Make sure the patient has had an opportunity to ask questions, that the surgical site is marked, that the consent is accurate and signed, that the appropriate imaging is available, and that anything the team needs from you has been addressed before the case starts.
Once the case begins, one of the most important things is learning how the people around you like to work. Every scrub tech has a slightly different style. Some want you to tell them exactly what you are going to need next, while others know the procedure so well that they may already have the instrument ready before you ask for it. Rather than coming in and immediately trying to impose your own system, learn the individual and develop a rhythm together. Respect the Mayo stand and their workspace, ask for what you need clearly, and give them the space to do their job. Maintaining sterile technique is also part of building trust. If a scrub tech or nurse points something out, don’t take it personally. They are doing their job, and everyone in the room is ultimately trying to protect the patient.
Possibly the most important part of earning trust is how you behave when things aren’t going smoothly. The OR can be a stressful environment. Equipment may be missing, an instrument may not be available, the case may be more difficult than expected, or there may simply be a lot happening at once. These are the moments when people notice how you carry yourself. It’s easy to be pleasant when everything is going well, but it’s much more meaningful to remain patient, communicate clearly, and avoid taking your frustration out on the people around you when things become stressful.
As a surgeon, and even as you progress through training, people look to you for leadership. This doesn’t mean being loud or aggressive. It means being able to stay composed, make decisions, communicate what you need, and lead the room with confidence and poise. Developing that habit as a resident or fellow is important because it carries directly into how you’ll eventually function as an attending. The tone you set has a tangible effect on the rest of the team.
That relationship continues after the case is over. Help transport the patient out of the OR and sign out any pertinent information to the recovery nurse when the patient arrives in PACU. Make sure they know how to reach you if there are questions or concerns. Place postoperative orders in a timely manner and make sure the plan is clear. If a nurse calls because something doesn’t seem right, take their concerns seriously. You may ultimately determine that nothing needs to change, but being responsive and approachable goes a long way.
At the end of the day, everyone in the OR is working toward the same goal. If you approach scrub techs and OR nurses as teammates, learn how they like to work, help when you can, communicate clearly, and stay composed when things get stressful, trust will develop naturally over time. Those relationships make the OR a better place to work, but more importantly, they help the entire team take better care of patients.
DISCLOSURES: Dr. Moon This individual reported nothing to disclose.
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