Introduction to the Operating Room
LESSON 1: ORIENTATION
1-9
1-9. ELECTRICAL FIXTURES
a. Discussion. In rooms where explosion hazards exist, circuits supplying electrical current for lighting and for wall outlets are all grounded to a common ground to prevent arcs and sparks and to reduce the possibility of electrical shocks to personnel.
b. Outlets. Explosion-proof outlets for mobile equipment are located in the walls about one foot from the floor and also near the operating table. The alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) outlets are clearly marked by color and shape to prevent plugging a piece of electrical apparatus into the wrong current. These wall outlets have interlocking switches so that a plug cannot be withdrawn or inserted while a plug is securely inserted into the outlet. The current is broken into an explosion-proof enclosure before the plug is removed. Outlets and switches, which are not explosion-proof are mounted five feet above the floor, in areas where flammable anesthetic agents are administered to patients, because the area is considered to be hazardous up to that level. In some surgical suites, even those outlets that are
nonexplosion-proof are mounted five feet from the floor.
c. Extension Cords. Extension cords that are not explosion-proof are never to be used to connect mobile equipment to wall outlets because such cords are hazardous. The foot control pieces for mobile electrical equipment are insulated as a precaution against explosion.
d. Other Fixtures. Other items of electrical equipment usually included are vapor-proof X-ray view boxes built directly into the wall and an explosion-proof electric wall clock with a sweep second hand.
(1) Operating room suites of the future will be designed to facilitate the use of computers in the monitoring of patients, in obtaining diagnostic data and calculations, and in the ordering of supplies. Hospital designers may plan for computer terminals to be directly accessible to specially trained individuals who can interpret the data in the OR.
(2) All cabinets, view boxes, and receptacles should be recessed. Wall-mounted shelves and mounted cabinets, and freestanding storage cabinets are being used less and less because of difficulty in cleaning and maintaining supplies.
(3) The current trend is toward the cart system where mobile units are constantly supplied and cleaned.
(4) No windows should be installed.
