Final Draft 10-18-96
Revised February 1997
Narrative
OPERATING ROOM PLANNING CRITERIA (CONT.)
the room and exhausted at the floor level,
A 900 mm (36") door width and circulation
continuously "sweeping" the soiled air from
space must be provided between the
the room.
sterilizer and the operating room in order to
minimize the danger of contamination as the
Electrical/Communication
sterile item is moved from the sterilizer
Explosive anesthetic agents no longer are
chamber to the sterile area of the operating
used in the operating room. This allows
room. Additionally, a washer sterilizer may
flexibility in meeting the electrical needs. The
be required in the clean core of larger clinics
view boxes, intercom units, telephone,
and hospitals as a backup for the washer
computer monitor, etc., conveniently are
sterilizers in the SPD.Scrub Area.
located in the circulation zone of the room.
Two isolated power panels are provided in
Scrub Area
the operating room to ensure constant
Surgical team members must thoroughly
current and eliminate power surges.
wash their hands prior to each surgical
intervention. Usually the operating room
Stretcher Alcove
personnel scrub first and then prepare the
Surgical patients are brought into the
instruments and sterile supplies required for
operating room by stretcher (gurney) or by a
the operation. It is desirable to have at least
stretcher/recovery room bed. This transport
one scrub sink adjacent to the operating
vehicle is made up with clean linen for the
room, with a leaded glass observation
patients delivered to the operating room on
window above, so that the surgical team can
this vehicle. Space should be provided
monitor the patient while at the same time
directly outside the operating room where the
scrubbing for the operation. A clock is
vehicle is parked during the procedure. The
provided over the scrub sinks for timing of
alcove should be large enough to
scrubbing.
A mixing valve to permit
accommodate a standard hospital bed. After
comfortable water temperature is supplied for
surgery, the patient is placed on a stretcher
the scrub sinks.
or bed and moved to the recovery room. The
Air Supply
transport vehicle then is cleaned, disinfected
Air is supplied to the operating room by
and prepared for the next patient. .
diffusers in the ceiling located over and
Housekeeping Aids Closet
around the operating room table (see the
The operating room is thoroughly cleaned at
guide plate for a more specific layout). Air is
the end of each surgical day. The room also
exhausted from the room by at least two
must be cleaned between each case.
exhaust ducts located in the walls near the
Housekeeping closets are to be provided for
floor on opposite sides of the room. In this
the surgical suite. One for the clean core;
way the room constantly is being "washed"
one for the operating room and one to serve
with clean air. Airborne bacteria and other
the post anesthesia recovery room (P.A.R.) in
contaminants tend to fall toward the floor.
the larger clinics and hospitals.
The clean air is supplied from the ceiling of
VA DESIGN GUIDE
AMBULATORY SURGERY
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