Patient Operations Assistant

Presenter: Jonah Goldfarb, Physiology and Neurobiology, Global Public Health Scholars

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For my practicum project, I worked as a patient operations assistant at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) in Boston. The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is one of the nation’s leading clinical institutions for ophthalmology as well as otolaryngology. I was working at the main operating suite, where surgeons would perform surgeries ranging from something routine like ear tubes or a tonsillectomy, to very intensive procedures such as laryngectomy or glossectomy. My responsibilities in this position included operating room turnover, patient and specimen transport, surgical supplies inventory and restocking, and cleaning and organization of surgical equipment. During my time in this position, I was able to learn about what processes happen “behind the scenes” to allow for care to be carried out effectively and efficiently. Additionally, I was exposed to the massive amount of waste produced to maintain sterility during procedures and sanitation throughout the hospital. Hospitals produce over 29 pounds of waste per patient per day and over 5 million tons of waste each year. Also, the production of waste increased drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease. To combat this, MEEI has implemented several waste reduction techniques including recycling of pulse-oximeters and pneumatic boots as well as the frames for the disposable eye shields. The balance between sanitation and waste management continues to be a struggle for the medical industry; however, MEEI and the rest of the Mass General Brigham network of hospitals is working to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly.