What is the mission statement of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)?

The mission statement of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) emphasizes the importance of enhancing the surgical technologist profession to ensure quality patient care. This foundational goal reflects AST's commitment to providing ongoing education and resources that empower surgical technologists to excel in their roles, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients during surgical procedures.

While training skilled personnel, promoting safety, and advocating for health care reforms are important concepts in the field of surgical technology, they are more specific elements or auxiliary goals that support the overarching mission. The commitment to enhancing the profession directly correlates with the need for high standards of care and skill sets necessary to positively impact patient safety and outcomes in the surgical environment. Therefore, focusing on enhancing the profession encompasses all aspects of what AST aims to achieve in its support of surgical technologists.