AST of Montana

04/23/2025

SAVE THE DATE!! Our Fall Conference and work shop is scheduled for Oct. 4th in Billings at St. Vincent’s Hospital. More info to come!

03/16/2025

Sometimes people need to be aware of what OR nurses and scrubs REALLY do:

To be a surgery nurse/ tech....

From the time you put the blue scrubs on your family comes second.

Long days, long cases, no lunch, no breaks.

An incision is made with hope for a cure, but the cancer has spread and you close without closure.

The baby is born but no breath is taken.

911 has been called. ER starts the code. Surgery is notified. An incision is made. The bleeding won't stop. The injury is too severe.
Compressions are done but no pulse returns. Breaths are given but the sats keep falling. Beep beep beep .................

No time to rest. No time to stop. The next add on is here. The surgeon awaits. No time to grieve. No place to hide. Your call shift just started.

Rarely do you hear praise, or a pat on the back. The patients don't remember your name or that you prayed with them at the start.

The surgeons concerned with what is next, why aren't we in the room?

You are the unsung hero. The person without a voice. You are beaten, broken, tired, and ready to go again. You have no quit. You just keep going. Day after day. Call hour after call hour you keep doing what it is that you do.

Calm fears. Hold hands. Save lives.

They may not remember who you were or what you did for them, but you do. You know that they are able to see their kids, grand kids, husbands, wives, parents, and friends again because you were there for them at all hours of the day or night.

To all my co-workers, and to all the Surgery nurses/ techs everywhere. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for who you are.

I know what you do. I know what you give up. I know the impact on your health and on your families. I know that you wouldn't change it for the world. We are Surgery we are Outstanding.

03/16/2025

OAST Spring Conference and Annual Business Meeting what a tremendously successful meeting. Thank you so much for the great speakers and all the hospitality you offered to all of us here. Oast Technologist y’all are an amazing group of professionals. Can’t wait to see you again soon.

03/04/2025

It is with such a sad heart that we said goodbye today to our Former AST President Kevin Craycraft. His passing is such a loss for our profession. For those of us lucky enough to have known him we can honestly say thank you sir for all the support, guidance and encouragement to always reach for more. Rest easy and know you touched so many lives while here with us.

02/02/2025

Happy 2025 to all our incredible Surgical Technologists! 🎉🩺 As we enter the new year, let's take a moment to celebrate our successes and look ahead to exciting new opportunities in the OR. Whether you're a seasoned tech or just beginning your journey, we're excited to have you with us. Let's uplift and support one another. What's your favorite part about being a surgical technologist? Share with us!

09/19/2024

09/17/2024

Happy Surgical Technologist Week! Let’s face it, scrubs are amazing! Keep up the great work people!

09/13/2024

Good job Illinois!

Dozens of surgeons across Central Illinois have backed a law that would require specific accreditation for surgical technologists before they enter the operating room.

09/12/2024

Huge shout out to everyone that made the conference last weekend so amazing! Nikki Bread, CST was the main organizer and rocked it!

09/11/2024

We also had the privilege of testing out the latest DaVinci robot! Thanks to our reps, Riley Meredith & Katie Landis.

09/10/2024

Thanks to Solveigh from Baxter and Marsha, our MTAST President, for hosting this Pig Heart lab. It’s not every day you get such a hands on opportunity to learn heart anatomy!

09/09/2024

What a great conference! We swore in 3 new Directors and a Secretary! Megan Ellman will return as Secretary. Jonnni Pekus, Katie Vulk and Nicole Moser will join us as Directors. Thanks to everyone who came to Great Falls!

09/05/2024

This is interesting and good to know!

🤯 Ever had to scramble because a patient was flagged with an iodine allergy? It can lead to major changes in their care—sometimes for no good reason. So let’s clear up the confusion. Many of the things we’ve been told about iodine allergies are myths, and these misconceptions could be affecting your patients' outcomes.

Here’s the real deal:

🔍 Myth #1: Allergic to one iodine-containing product? You’re allergic to them all.
Reality Check: Nope, not true. ❌ An allergy to one doesn’t mean an allergy to all. Each iodine-containing product is unique, so you need to evaluate them individually. Let’s not jump to conclusions. 🚫

🔍 Myth #2: Shellfish allergy = iodine allergy.
Reality Check: Shellfish allergies have nothing to do with iodine. 🦐 The real culprit in shellfish is a protein, not iodine. That means povidone-iodine and iodinated contrast media are safe to use in patients with a shellfish allergy. Big relief, right? 😌

🔍 Myth #3: Iodine itself is what causes allergic reactions.
Reality Check: Iodine can’t trigger allergies—it’s essential for our bodies. 💪 The reactions people have are usually due to other ingredients in the products, like povidone in skin antisepsis or the thickness of contrast agents.

🔍 Myth #4: Labeling a patient as iodine-allergic won’t really impact their care.
Reality Check: Think again. 🤔 This label can lead to unnecessary care changes, like using less effective prep solutions, increasing the risk of surgical site infections, or causing delays that could harm patient outcomes. 🚑

🔖 “Patients who have had any allergy to anything containing iodine, usually shellfish, are labeled with an iodine allergy—but this label is false,” says Dr. Laila S. Bailey, DNP, RN, CNOR, ACNS-BC.

With 35+ years of experience in perioperative nursing, Dr. Bailey is a recognized expert in nursing research and practice. And her recent investigations into iodine alternatives and contrast reactions have challenged long-held beliefs, urging perioperative nurses to reevaluate how iodine allergies are handled in patient care.

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09/05/2024

Only 2 days away from the Conference and Workshop! Hope to see lots of members there!

Remember there will be breakfast and lunch provided, so no need to pack a lunch!

There is also a raffle for some amazing gift baskets donated by local offices and businesses! Everyone will receive one raffle ticket at registration. If you would like to buy more, they will be available for $2/ticket or 6 for $10.

Also, it’s not too late to save some money and pre-register! Payment will be collected at registration when you arrive. Cash, Check or Venmo will be accepted. Click the link to pre-register!

https://forms.gle/mhq183YJY9ogwa6J7

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

09/05/2024

National Surgical Tech Week is coming up September 15th-21st!! Does anyone’s department do anything special to celebrate!? Please share!!

08/29/2024

Hey you! Save yourself a little dough and pre-register for the conference. Here’s the link. Pay when you get there. We’ll save you a seat!

Event Timing: September 7th 2024 Event Address: 1101 26th St. S Great Falls, MT Benefis Cameron Auditorium Contact us at 406-670-8376 or mnmcst@yahoo.com

08/20/2024

Get excited!! We’re doing a raffle at our Conference! Several local businesses donated gift baskets to support us in raising a little money for our State Assembly! When you arrive at the conference, everyone will receive one raffle ticket at registration. However, if you would like to purchase more tickets, each ticket will be $2 or 6 for $10!

08/20/2024

Book your hotel rooms. Can't wait to see you all there!