Holding Her Hand Before Anesthesia

Content note:
This story includes references to past sexual abuse and discussion of patient vulnerability before anesthesia.

I had been an ER nurse for many years and, looking for a new challenge, I gravitated to the OR. This is a very technical field of nursing — lots of protocols, equipment, positioning. I remember our training being so structured and rigid that we sometimes lost sight of the person on the table.

I had a very personal experience early in my OR career that I have passed on to colleagues over the years. When patients are positioned on the surgical table just before having a general anesthetic, their arms are typically placed out at 90 degrees from the body. For some women who have experienced sexual abuse, that position can feel deeply unsafe.

As an OR nurse who had been sexually abused, I immediately recognized how vulnerable that position can feel. I noticed my patient’s eyes looking up at me for comfort and safety. I had no idea what her personal life experiences or trauma may have been, but we connected in a quiet way. I gently moved her arms safely by her side and held her hand without saying a word.

Eye contact was all that was needed to help her feel safe.