Students - Observer Privileges in the OR

The OR is a restricted area and therefore not accessible to non-OR personnel without special permission. While UHN typically welcomes nursing students who wish to observe for a few hours, students must make formal arrangements for this experience. You must allow a minimum of 72 hours notice to make arrangements for Observer Privileges.

Step 1
Consult with the staff on your unit to determine the name and contact information for a specific staff surgeon (and his/her secretary) whose surgery you wish to observe.

Step 2
Obtain a letter from your educational institution. The letter should specify:

the name of the educational institution
the name of the course/program that you are registered in
your name (groups of students may submit one letter listing the names of all students in the group)
the date(s) of the requested observational visit to the OR
the name of the faculty or staff member who will be directly responsible for supervising you in the OR. Normally, this is the name of the staff surgeon you will be observing.

Fax or e-mail the completed letter to the surgeon’s secretary.

Step 3
The surgeon’s secretary will then complete the "Surgical Observation Privilege Request Form" and e-mail or fax your letter and the completed form to Annette Remmes.

Step 4
The request for privileges is then processed by Annette Remmes in the Surgeon-in-Chief’s office. The completed paperwork will be e-mailed to the appropriate people in addition to a copy being faxed to the operating room. The OR will keep a copy on file at the front desk.

Step 5
Check with the surgeon’s secretary to ensure that observation privileges have been granted before proceeding to the Operating Room.

For further information, contact:
Annette Remmes, Administrative Assistant to the Surgeon-in-Chief at (416) 340-3863.