How to Recognize OR Heroes During Surgical Tech Week 2025

Missteps in the operating room lengthen surgeries by an average of 17 extra minutes (opens in a new window), compromising schedule efficiency, incurring additional costs, and, most importantly, negatively impacting patient care. Surgical technologists, also called CSTS or scrub techs, are the professionals who keep the OR running smoothly. They’re in charge of instrument counts, sterilization, and readying your surgical tech team.

Surgical techs are the unsung heroes of modern surgery. Every year during the third week of September, we celebrate the hard work and dedication with National Surgical Technologists Week.  It’s a week to thank them for keeping your surgeries and the operations of others running efficiently. Hospitals and healthcare organizations celebrating Surgical Tech Week boost morale and employee satisfaction, while other businesses can wish a Happy Surgical Tech Week to demonstrate a culture of recognition and appreciation.

The Responsibilities of Surgical Techs 

Certified surgical technologists (CSTs) are critical members of the operating room team. Their role begins before the first incision and continues until the last instrument is counted. They prepare and sterilize surgical tools, set up the operating room, and are responsible for making sure that every item is in its proper place.

During procedures, surg techs anticipate the surgeon’s needs, passing instruments quickly and precisely to keep things moving efficiently. Their attention to detail helps prevent infection, maintain a sterile environment, and protect patient safety throughout every stage of the surgery. Their work often goes unnoticed outside the OR, but we depend on their skill, speed, and focus for successful operations.

Showing Appreciation for Surgical Technicians Saves Money

It’s a known fact that the United States spends more on healthcare than any other country. This includes the costs in the operating room. The estimated cost of operating room time is $46.04 per minute (opens in a new window)! When we multiply that by the average time for missteps, it is close to $800 that a great surgical team can save. 

When surgical procedures run as planned, additional costs, anesthesia, and risk go down. Not only that, but replacing a highly specialized healthcare professional can cost up to 200 percent of annual salary (opens in a new window) once you add recruiting, onboarding, and lost productivity. (opens in a new window)A thoughtful recognition plan for Surgical Tech Week costs a fraction of that and pays you back in loyalty, engagement, and maybe even positive social media buzz.

Quick Ways to Celebrate and Show Appreciation

It doesn’t matter if you’re leading a large hospital system or coordinating HR at a local surgical center, celebrating your techs is worthwhile and doesn’t have to be complicated. You can show appreciation throughout the week by:

• Hosting a breakfast or a catered lunch to make the days easier
• Create a “Surgical Tech Spotlight” wall to publicly affirm the roles surgical techs play
• Run social media features to spread awareness about scrub techs
• Send handwritten thank-you notes from leadership
• Gift them something useful, personalized, or just plain fun
• Offer branded Surgical Tech Week gifts that recognize their hard work year-round

Remember, appreciation doesn’t have to end when the week does. Offering useful branded items is a way to keep the sentiment there long after the Surgical Tech Week 2025 has ended.

Top Promotional Gift Ideas for Surgical Tech Week

Surgical techs are the steady hands supporting every smooth operation. The best Surgical Tech Week gifts reflect that same level of thoughtfulness and utility. From hand-free badge holders to stainless steel tumblers they’ll actually use between shifts, these gift ideas are more than token gestures. They reinforce your appreciation and remind your scrub techs that their hard work in the operating room doesn’t go unnoticed.

Custom Badge Holders 

A custom lanyard or badge holder is a necessary part of a hospital uniform. Go the extra mile and supply antimicrobial badge reels that include your facility logo, surgical tech team name, or a motivational message like "Guardians of the OR." These small swag items make day-to-day work easier when badges are easily accessible and hands-free. 

Branded Tumblers & Coffee Mugs

Hydration and caffeine are surgical tech staples. A high-quality insulated tumbler or fun coffee mug helps them stay alert and refreshed during back-to-back procedures. Add your hospital branding, a Happy Surgical Tech Week message, or even their department name for a personal touch they’ll take from locker to lounge.

Healthy Snacks

Surgical techs power through long shifts with limited downtime, so having quick, healthy snack options on hand can make a big difference. Individually wrapped trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, or nut packs can be branded and sent home or kept in the lounge. Hand out reusable snack clips with your facility’s name so bigger bags stay fresh longer. It’s an easy way to support your surgical team’s energy, focus, and overall well-being.

Tech Accessories

Between early clock-ins and late charting, your scrub techs rely on their phones and devices. Custom power banks, stylus pens, screen cleaners, and collapsible phone stands make excellent scrub tech week gifts. They are compact and useful items that easily fit into pockets or breakroom tote bags. Bundle them into kits for the whole surgical team.

Relaxation and Wellness Gifts

Surgical technicians spend hours on their feet in high-pressure environments. Give them a chance to recharge with branded wellness items like aromatherapy candles, stress balls, gel bead hot/cold packs, or cozy socks. These small comforts make a big impact when it comes to showing you care about their well-being, on and off the clock.

Premium Branded Apparel

From custom scrub caps to lightweight zip-up jackets, branded apparel is always appreciated. Add your facility logo, OR team name, or Surgical Tech Week message to wearable gifts they’ll sport in the hospital halls and out in the community. It’s a lasting way to celebrate their role in patient care and surgical procedures.

Product Spotlights for Surgical Tech Week 2025

1. Custom Scrub Caps in fun prints to brighten the OR
2. Antimicrobial Badge Reels to make getting around the hospital easier
3. UV-Sterilizing Phone Chambers to keep devices clean
4. MicroHalt Cases to store cash and credit cards
5. Stainless Steel Water Bottles with spill-resistant lids for desk-to-OR travel
6. Lunch Bag Coolers keep food safe between operations
7. Well-Being Journals promote reflection after intense cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What week is Surgical Tech Week?

Surgical Tech Week is always the third week of September. In 2025, it runs from September 14–20.

What is National Surgical Technologists Week?

The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) designated the 3rd week of September as National Surgical Technologists Week in 1984. National Surgical Technologists Week recognizes the vital role surgical techs play in safe, efficient surgery across the nation. Like Nurses Week and other healthcare awareness days, it’s a time to show your employee appreciation. 

Why is Surgical Tech Week celebrated?

The week shines a light on the expertise and dedication of surgical techs, drives awareness of their career paths and certification standards, and fosters retention through public appreciation.

Show Gratitude That Goes Beyond the Last Stitch

Behind every successful surgery is a surgical tech who’s ready before the lights come on and still working after the final stitch. Surgical Technologists Week is your opportunity to thank them for the precision, calm, and care they bring to every procedure. The right promotional products and gifts show your staff and the entire healthcare community that their hard work is truly appreciated.

At 4AllPromos, we’ve helped hospitals, surgical centers, and HR teams nationwide create customized, branded surgical tech gifts that go beyond the basics. We make it easy to celebrate the surgical technology specialists in the operating room.

Sources

1. OR Manager. (2022, January 4). Improving instrument readiness cuts case delays, boosts surgeon satisfaction. https://www.ormanager.com/improving-instrument-readiness-cuts-case-delays-boosts-surgeon-satisfaction/ (opens in a new window)
2. Skiba, D. (2021). Operating room efficiency: The impact of delays on surgical case cost and utilization. Journal of Orthopaedic Business, 1(1), 5–9. https://www.jorthobusiness.org/index.php/jorthobusiness/article/download/23/20/472 (opens in a new window)
3. Oracle. (n.d.). The high cost of employee turnover in healthcare. Oracle Corporation. https://www.oracle.com/human-capital-management/cost-employee-turnover-healthcare/ (opens in a new window)