Clean Core
Operating Rooms are grouped around a clean core. The clean core is used for sterile supply storage. This is the cleanest area of the
entire Operating Suite. Only staff wearing appropriate surgical attire should be allowed in the clean core. Sterile supplies are
retrieved from the clean core by the circulator. If supplies are to be stored on multiple exchange carts brought up from SPD each day,
the clean core must be sized to accommodate these carts. When the provision of substantial numbers of storage cabinets in each
Operating Room is the desire of the local staff, then the space in the clean core reserved for exchange carts with sterile supplies on
them can be reduced. Case carts are held in a clean staging area until required at the start of the surgical procedure. Many facilities
also utilize automated supply units, which store and electronically track usage of supplies.
Sterile supplies are transported to the clean core via dedicated elevators from the clean side of SPD. An optional dedicated stairway
may be included if SPD is vertically separated from the clean core by no more than two floors.
In renovation situations where space is not available to create a true clean core, one corridor outside the Operating Room may be
considered a clean space where sterile supplies are stored. Appropriate staff and materials flow must be followed to maintain the
separation of clean and soiled traffic. However, this arrangement should only be considered for a small complement of Operating
Rooms.
Supplies may be bar-coded or may utilize a more recent technology involving radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips. Both
systems are designed to monitor use of supplies and to allow computerized reorder to maintain the appropriate inventory. In addition,
scanning the bar code (or tracking supplies with RFID chips) provides a more complete system for charging for supplies used during
a surgical procedure. It also expedites the removal of stored items in the Operating Room when their shelf life has expired.
Case Carts
Case carts are used to bring sterile materials and instruments from SPD to the Operating Room. A typical case cart contains specific
items required for each specific case, including all required surgical instruments and other supplies. On some occasions, more
complicated procedures require several case carts. Some case carts may remain in the Operating Room during the procedure. After
the operation is completed, all the case carts and used supplies are removed from the room via the semi-restricted corridor.
Design Guide - Surgical Service
Narrative
Guide Plate:
2i
Page 9 of 14
Date: August 2005
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