title: Operating room management: operative suite considerations, infection control.
abstract: An operating room's condition is rarely directly implicated in dis-ease transmission. Even so, to prevent such rare transmissions,hospitals must be thoughtful in designing operating rooms as important adjuncts to infection control. Proper ventilation in and near the operating room is the single most important component in establishing an environment that stops the spread of infection. Other considerations include attention to traffic control, equipment maintenance and storage, and construction materials that enhance the ability to maintain clean rooms. Hospitals can avert potential infectious problems through preventive maintenance and the use of infection control risk assessments (ICRAs) for preemptive consideration of infectious risks before renovations, repairs and new construction. Guidelines should be consulted and incorporated into each operating room's policies and procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128, USA. mdallo@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Allo
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tedesco
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000985:Antisepsis / Q000379:methods*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital; D008297:Male; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D016134:Organizational Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012308:Risk Management; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014691:Ventilation / Q000379:methods