Cleaning for Infection Prevention and Control in Operating Theatres

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Studies show that surgical site infections (SSIs) constitute around 20% of total hospital-acquired infections. So infection prevention and control in operating theatres is essential for ensuring the safety of the patient.

Sources of Infection in Operating Theatres

Most SSIs occur during the operative procedure, when the patient’s wounds are still open. Sources of infection can include:

  • Members of the operating team, and the clothing they wear.
  • The operating theatre environment, including the air quality.
  • The equipment used during the procedure.

Stringent protocols can make a huge difference in minimising the onset of SSIs. Every medical setting should have a robust set of infection control protocols in place, and every member of the operating staff should be familiar with these protocols.

Please note that this post should not be used in place of infection control protocols. Rather, it should be used as a general guide to the sort of items that might factor into your protocols.

Operating Room Environment Measures to Control Infection

The operating theatre should be aseptic, highly-sterile, and restricted. The following measures can help prevent and control infection in operating theatres:

  • Proper ventilation with 20 air changes each hour.
  • Separate doors for entry and exit. Sliding doors can minimise air currents as people enter and leave the room.
  • The operating theatre complex should be properly zoned based on the levels of cleanliness, the presence of microorganisms, and the types of procedures carried out. There should be separate areas for preparation and disposal, for scrubbing and gowning, and for the storage, sterilisation, assembly and washing of materials and equipment.

Staff Clothing

All surgical staff must carry out a surgical hand wash before the procedure. This involves applying an antimicrobial agent in a circular motion, from the tips of the fingers up to about 5cm above the elbow. This rubbing should take place for at least three minutes.

When it comes to operating theatre clothing, use “barrier techniques” where the chances of infection spread are highest. Ideally, all operating theatre clothing should be disposable, and where possible, made from soft, nonporous materials.

  • Head covers – All facial and head hair should be properly tied and covered. Long hair should be tied into a bun.
  • Masks – Masks work to prevent the transmission of infectious agents from the operating team to the patient’s open wounds. They also protect the operating team from splashes and sprays from the patient. The masks should be disposable, made from synthetic materials, and properly fitted.
  • Scrubs– Scrubs should be comfortable and, if not disposable, they should be easy to wash and clean. They should have as simple a design as possible, to reduce the areas where contaminants could develop.
  • Gowns – When it comes to gowns, there should be a set procedure for applying them to reduce the risk of contamination. It’s a two-person job, in which both people should avoid touching the outside of the gown.
  • Gloves – Again, there should be a set procedure for applying gloves. It begins with a thorough handwash in aseptic conditions, after which you should avoid, as much as is possible, touching the outside of the glove with your bear hands.

Operating theatres must also use drapes to contain the operating environment, and to cover all parts of the patient apart from the operative site.

Surgical Equipment Cleaning for Infection Prevention

All operating theatre machinery must be surveyed at least once a week. Any fault should be reported to the infection control team, who can then take appropriate measures to maintain the infection control protocols.

Any reusable surgical instruments must be thoroughly cleaned before use. The reprocessing procedure might involve:

  • Cleaning – To remove any organic matter on the surface of the equipment. Some equipment may require soaking prior to cleaning.
  • Disinfection and sterilisation – Disinfection involves using appropriate chemical disinfection agents to reduce the number of microorganisms present. Sterilisation involves removing all microbes from the surface of the equipment, including spores, using steam, dry heat, ethylene oxide, or other chemicals. It’s usually necessary to wrap or package equipment before sterilising it.
  • Storage – Once processed, all surgical equipment must be properly stored in a sterile environment, and only handled again once it’s ready to be used on patients.

The specific cleaning procedure will vary depending on the type of equipment. For example, some surgical equipment can be cleaned and dried in an automated washer. Some instruments may require cleaning in an ultrasonic unit, after which they’ll need to go through a separate rinsing and drying procedure before they’re sterilised ready for storage.

Floor and Surface Cleaning in Operating Theatres

From floor to ceiling, all surfaces should be washable and with a minimum of joints. This will help reduce the accumulation of dust and other particulates.

Absorbent mats can also make a huge difference. They can capture fluids during procedures, making it much easier to dispose of them afterwards. This can vastly improve your turnaround times with no need to compromise on hygiene standards. They also dry quickly, which can help prevent slips and falls.

Essential Support for Infection Prevention and Control in Operating Theatres

We offer many services and solutions that can help you stay on top of infection prevention and control in operating theatres.

Our services include:

  • Air purification
  • Face-fit testing
  • Washroom hygiene solutions
  • Fluid management solutions, including floor mats
  • Comprehensive infection control solutions, including cleaning equipment, disposal containers, and sanitising chemicals

Our experts are always on-hand to discuss your needs. So if you’d like some guidance on infection prevention and control in operating theatres, get in touch to talk to an expert today.

 

Absorbent mats for urology theatres and wards

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Whether you want to absorb blood, urine or irrigation fluid during urology procedures, using a high-performance absorbent mat can avoid a lot of mess and mopping up.

Of course, there are suction devices that can remove liquids from floors, but these can often be noisy and pose a trip hazard, neither of which can be said of absorbent mats.

What’s more, some absorbent floor mats can be cut to size, to suit your requirements exactly. In addition, sterile mats can be placed under or next to the patient.

In this article, we look at three kinds of absorbent mat that can help provide a drier and safer environment for both patients and staff:

1. The T-Mat for urology theatres and wards

Designed for urology theatre floors to collect fluids during wet procedures, the T-Mat collects and binds liquids hygienically, wicking liquid away from the surface and turning absorbed fluid into a gel in only two to three minutes.

Able to absorb up to 8.5 litres of water or 3.5 litres of saline, the T-Mat is the most absorbent mat on the UK market. Measuring 75 x 36cm, it is a convenient size to be positioned on the floor where you expect any fluids to pool.

By locking in fluids, the T-Mat effectively reduces the risk of hazards such as slips and trips, whilst also reducing the time needed to clean up post-procedure.

In fact, its non-drip design means that you can easily dispose of the T-Mat in clinical waste with minimal risk of cross-contamination.

2. The DryMax XL for urology theatre scrub rooms

If you are looking for an absorbent mat that you can stand on whilst scrubbing up or performing a procedure, then the DryMax XL is the ideal product.

Designed with an anti-skid barrier layer, the mat stays in place while you walk on it. You can even cut the DryMax XL to fit an area, whether you do that with the individual mats sized 100 x 75cm or with the DryMax XL on a 100cm x 5m roll.

The DryMax XL is also highly absorbent. Capable of absorbing up to 2 litres of fluid, the it locks in liquids, preventing slips on wet floors. What’s more, its non-drip design allows for quick and easy disposal, with minimum risk of cross-infection.

3. The DryMax Sterile for urology departments

The DryMax Sterile is the ideal choice, if you are looking for an absorbent mat that you can place beneath or next to the patient during wet procedures.

Measuring 72 x 37cm, this disposable mat can absorb up to 6 litres of fluids and 2.4 litres of saline.

What’s more, having a non-drip design, it can be easily disposed of as clinical waste, ensuring a faster turnaround and reduced clean-up time.

Trialling absorbent mats for your urology theatres

If you would like more information on the above mats or to discuss your fluid management requirements call 0845 226 0185 or email info@cairntechnology.com

Hospitals are also welcome to trial a couple of mats for free to see how staff find using them in their own urology theatres and wards, so if this is of interest, please feel free to contact us.

Choosing absorbent mats for your labour ward

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From amniotic fluid release to mild blood loss and intrapartum haemorrhage, there can be a host of reasons for having a high performance absorbent mat to hand in labour wards or obstetrics theatres.

Of course, there are suction devices out there that can remove fluids from floors, but these can often be noisy and pose a trip hazard, so absorbent floor mats can provide a better solution.

In this article, we look at three types of absorbent mat that can contribute towards a drier and safer environment for patients and staff:

1. The T-Mat for obstetrics theatres

Designed for obstetrics theatre floors to collect fluids during caesareans, the T-Mat collects and binds liquids hygienically, with excess fluid turning into a gel within only 2 to 3 minutes.

As the most absorbent mat on the UK market, the T-Mat can absorb up to 8.5 litres of water or 3.5 litres of saline. Measuring 75 x 36cm, the T-Mat should be positioned on the floor where you expect fluids to pool.

Its ability to lock in fluids reduces the risk of slips and trips, as well as the time needed to clean up post-procedure.

In addition, its non-drip design, which wicks liquid away from the surface, means that it can be easily disposed of in clinical waste with minimal risk of cross-contamination.

2. The DryMax XL for obstetrics scrub rooms

If you are looking for an absorbent mat that you can stand on whilst scrubbing up or performing an operation, then the DryMax XL is the perfect choice.

Designed with an anti-skid barrier layer, the mat stays in place and prevents absorbed fluids from passing through, thereby preventing slips on wet floors.

Measuring 100 x 75cm, the DryMax XL can be conveniently cut to fit an area. Capable of absorbing up to 2 litres of fluid, its non-drip design allows for quick and easy disposal, with minimum risk of cross-infection.

3. The DryMax Sterile for labour rooms and obstetrics theatres

If you are looking for an absorbent mat that can be placed under or close to the patient during labour or a caesarean, then the DryMax Sterile is the ideal solution.

Measuring 72 x 37cm, this disposable mat can absorb up to 6 litres of fluids such as urine, blood and amniotic fluid and 2.4 litres of saline.

Being non-drip, it can be easily disposed of as clinical waste, enabling a quicker turnaround and reducing the time needed for clean-up.

Trialling absorbent mats for your labour ward

If you would like more information on the above mats or to discuss your fluid collection requirements call 0845 226 0185 or email info@cairntechnology.com

Hospitals are also welcome to trial a couple of mats for free to see how staff find using them in their own labour rooms and obstetrics theatres, so if this is of interest, please feel free to contact us.