What action should you take if you smell alcohol on a surgeon's breath while in the OR?

The appropriate action in this scenario is to confront the surgeon about the smell of alcohol on their breath and report it if necessary. This response is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, patient safety is the top priority in a medical environment, especially in the OR where precise focus and judgment are critical. If a surgeon is under the influence of alcohol, their ability to perform surgery safely and competently could be severely compromised, posing risks to the patient undergoing the procedure.

Additionally, addressing the issue immediately ensures that it is handled in a responsible and timely manner. Reporting concerns to the proper authority, such as a supervisor or hospital administration, allows for appropriate intervention, which may involve further assessment of the surgeon's state and ensuring that the situation is managed according to hospital policies.

In contrast, leaving the OR avoids the issue but doesn't address the potential danger posed to the patient, while ignoring the situation as long as the surgeon seems to perform adequately fails to recognize the seriousness of being under the influence of alcohol in a clinical setting. Discussing the matter with the patient is also inappropriate, as it could cause undue anxiety and is not within the patient's scope of responsibility to assess a surgeon's fitness to perform surgery.