Final Draft 10-18-96
Revised February 1997
Narrative
OPERATING ROOM PLANNING CRITERIA
(2) the sterile packs, which include the
Operating Room
gowns, patients' drapes, back table covers,
The operating room for general surgery, ENT
towels, etc.;
surgery, eye surgery, and plastic surgery
ideally is 42 net square meters (450 net
(3) disposable supplies such as gloves,
square feet) with a minimum dimension of
sponges, dressings, etc.;
6100 mm (20'-0").
(4) sterile utensil items (in most cases a
sterile wash basin containing sterilized water
Ceiling Height in an Operating Room
for the surgical team to remove the powder
The ceiling height of an operating room
from the surgical gloves and supply wet
should be approximatly 3000 mm (10 feet). A
sponges or laparotomy pads as required by
clear ceiling height of 2890 mm (9'-6") is
the surgeon.
usually considered acceptable. Any height
After the operation is completed, all the
below this dimension is considered a
above items are removed from the room, the
compromise and not acceptable.
The
room cleaned and a new case cart brought in
following elements determine the ceiling
to service the next operation. The case carts
height:
usually remain in the operating room during
(1) major operating room lights are designed
the procedure. Additional supply storage is
for the above noted ceiling height;
required in the clean core and in the sterile
(2) in some operating rooms, overhead x-ray
storage areas as storage for the clean
equipment is required; (usually in larger
(sterile) case carts and for storage of special
clinics or hospitals)
non-sterile equipment which has to be
transferred into the operating room.
(3) proper air handling is essential. About
1/3rd of air is supplied over the OR table and
Sterilizer
2/3rd is supplied around the OR table. In
A sterilizer for flash sterilization of
order to achieve desirable air circulation free
instruments should be located as close as
from drafts, a height more than normal may
possible to the operating room, preferably
be necessary.
with access from the peripheral corridor for
maintenance or service. A sterilizer meets
Storage and Case Carts
the following needs:
As a supplement to built-in storage of
sterilized items including instruments within
(1) If an instrument is dropped or if a non-
the operating room which may become
sterile instrument is needed, it can be flash
contaminated, a case cart system is used.
sterilized and put into use in approximately
This system contains most of the needed
three minutes.
supplies required for a specific case, which
(2) Some clinics or hospitals do not wrap their
include:
tray of instruments. The instruments are
(1) the instruments;
placed in an open tray, flash sterilized and
carried directly to the surgical instrument
table.
VA DESIGN GUIDE
AMBULATORY SURGERY
PAGE 2- 5
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