Introduction to the Operating Room
LESSON 1: ORIENTATION
1-28
Section VI. HOUSEKEEPING
1-28. INTRODUCTION
The maintenance of cleanliness at all times in the OR suite is of extreme importance because infectious organisms are present both on floors and in the air. Such organisms exist in large numbers wherever dirt and dust are present. In addition, soil of any kind (dirt, blood, pus, and so forth) serves to protect infectious organisms; therefore, the suite must be kept spotlessly clean. For the same reason, the suite must be kept as free from dust as possible. Thus, housekeeping procedures are vital to the maintenance of aseptic technique and the prevention of wound infection. The OR specialist will be assigned various cleaning tasks and should therefore have knowledge of the methods employed as well as their limitations in order that cleaning will be most effective.
