This text serves as a foundational manual for surgical personnel, addressing the core question of how to maintain safety, sterility, and efficiency within the operating room environment. The authors, Lucy Jo Atkinson and Mary L. Kohn, synthesize decades of clinical experience and procedural standards to provide a comprehensive framework for surgical practice. The book organizes complex medical protocols into a structured guide intended to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and the realities of clinical application.

Experts recognize this work as a standard reference for surgical technologists and nursing students entering the operating room. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is designed to provide clear, actionable instructions for high-stakes clinical environments.