Dragana Tanasic

University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Serbia

Title: Scrub Nurses at the Core of Surgical Safety: Innovative Workforce Solutions from Serbia with Global Relevance

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Biography

Dragana Tanasic, RN, is a scrub nurse at the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia. She began her career in intensive care before specializing in operating room nursing, mainly in orthopedic and trauma surgery, with additional experience across vascular, plastic, abdominal, and neurosurgery. Currently completing her Bachelor of Nursing at the International Center for Professional Studies in Belgrade, she also participated in an Erasmus+ program in Almada, Lisbon , Portugal, focusing on student-led clinics for chronic diseases. She is passionate about patient safety, surgical teamwork, and advancing nursing education.

Abstract

Introduction: Scrub nurses are indispensable for surgical safety, ensuring aseptic conditions, precise instrument management, and effective teamwork. Serbian operating rooms operate in line with international standards, demonstrating strong professionalism and commitment to patient safety. However, as in many healthcare systems worldwide, a critical workforce shortage remains the most pressing challenge.

 

Objective: To present how scrub nurses in Serbia uphold international standards despite workforce shortages, and to propose innovative, evidence-based solutions to strengthen the surgical nursing workforce.

 

Approach: This abstract combines firsthand professional experience as a scrub nurse with academic nursing studies. Observations from practice were compared with WHO surgical safety guidelines and international workforce strategies to identify both achievements and gaps.

 

Findings

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the essential role of scrub nurses in ensuring patient safety and surgical team coordination.

2. Analyze the consequences of chronic workforce shortages in operating rooms, including fatigue, limited education, and increased risks.

3. Consider educational innovations, particularly the introduction of an 'Operating Room Nursing' subject in secondary medical schools, as a model for sustainable workforce development.

Scrub nurses in Serbia consistently apply surgical safety checklists, aseptic protocols, and team communication strategies. Nevertheless, staff shortages often result in demanding work schedules, including 24-hour shifts followed by only 24 hours of rest and continuation with additional 8-hour duties. Such patterns increase fatigue, limit opportunities for professional development, and pose risks to long-term workforce sustainability. In addition to international strategies, a proposed local innovation is the introduction of a specialized subject, “Operating Room Nursing,” into secondary medical school curricula. This early exposure would equip graduates with baseline competencies, reducing the need for extensive post-hire training and enabling faster adaptation in surgical teams.

 

Conclusion & Proposed Solutions:

Ensuring surgical safety requires urgent investment in the nursing workforce. Expanding educational capacity, introducing structured mentorship programs, and providing financial and professional incentives are essential measures. Moreover, integrating “Operating Room Nursing” into secondary education would optimize workforce preparation, optimize institutional training resources and strengthen team resilience. Strengthening the nursing workforce is not only a national priority but a global responsibility to ensure safer surgeries worldwide.