Theatre design and definitions Flashcards
What is asepsis?
No living disease-causing microorganisms are present
- sterile surgeries
- skin/hand prep
- sterile equipment
Antisepsis?
The removal of transient microorganisms from the skin, and a reduction in resident flora
- eg washing hands between patients
Resident Flora?
microorganisms that occupy the animal’s body
- learnt to live with
not normally associated with infection
- unless within sterile body cavities
Transient Flora?
microorganisms present on the body for short periods of time (not permanent)
can be associated with infection
How would you define disinfection?
type of decontamination process
eliminating harmful microorganisms from inanimate objects/surfaces
how would you define sterilisation?
type of decontamination process
killing all microorganisms and their spores
- all transient and resident flora
what is a biofilm?
a microbial colony within a polysaccharide matrix which can become attached to a wound surface
- forms after ∼6hrs
- holds in bacteria making harder to clean wound
areas of operating theatre suite?
Op theatre
- own room, not a walkthrough
Anaesthetic prep room
- room for induction and prep
Area for washing/sterilising
Sterile storage area
- separate rooms/areas (cupboards/boxes work)
- stops strikethrough of microorganisms
- water allows bacteria to travel into sterilised bags
scrubbing up area
- creates aerosol of dead skin cells
recovery room (if possible)
staff changing area
- change into clean scrubs for theatre
- stops risk of disease spreading at home
Responsibility of a theatre nurse?
maintain theatre hygiene
clean/sterilise surgical equipment
maintain surgical instruments
surgical prep of patient
intra-operative care
provide surgical assistance
what is the ideal temperature for theatre?
15-20°C
balance between keeping animals warm and staff cooler due to stress
windows in theatre?
ideally none - risk owners may see
add tinting/frosting
- don’t use blinds as collect dust
skylights add natural light
shouldn’t be able to open
should fan heaters be used in theatre? why?
not ideal
creates and aerosol of dust
A/C above better
- encourages dust to settled downwards
Why use double swing doors for theatre?
allow sterile staff to enter and leave without breaking sterility
risk of door being swung into you
- windows needed
- in/out door system
theatre equipment?
not including anaesthetic equipment
AS LITTLE FURNITURE AS POSSIBLE
light (+/- sterilised handle)
surgery table
heat sources (heat mat, bair hugger etc)
instrument table
wall clock
radiograph viewer flush to wall
wipe board
what is the correct way to clean theatre?
necessary to maintain aseptic environment
end of the day
- vacuum floors to remove debris/hair
- wash floors/walls with disinfectant
- remove waste material
- wash down surfaces, equipment, lights and sinks
once a week
- remove all equipment from room
- scrub walls and floors with disinfectant
- meticulously clean equipment
