All about the Dates
Why can't I store it here?
Things not allowed in the OR
Nothing but the Rules
Clean or Dirty?
100

Length of time before a sterile set up must be torn down

What is indefinite amount of time as long as the sterile field is under constant visualization?

100

These boxes are not allowed in the OR or any patient care area

What are corrugated cardboard boxes?

100

All items worn by staff in the operating room must be laundered through this type of facility

What is a health care approved laundry facility? 


100

This is a document that must be completed within days of the surgical procedure

What is History & Physical? 

100

Term used to describe the microbial numbers, or bacteria, present on a surface that has not been sterilized

What is Bioburden?

200

Expiration date for instrument sets sterilized in containers

What is 360 days?

200

All items being stored must be this distance from the ceiling or sprinkler heads whichever is lowest

What is 18 inches?

200

These cannot be worn to enhance fingernail length due to infection control/AORN standards

What are artificial/acrylic finger nails? 

200

This is an important component of H&P or surgeon note and must be specific.

What is definitive/surgical plan?

200
This is critical to perform at the conclusion of each surgical procedure prior to sending instruments to SPD
What is point of use cleaning?
300

Expiration date for instruments wrapped but processed in the Sterrad

What is 1 year?
300

Papers cannot be hung on these due to fire rating.  We do have an exception for latex allergy and laser signs.

What are the OR doors? 
300

If worn, they must not be visible when scrubbed and must be tucked inside the hat

What are earrings?

300
This is required from all patients with a side specific surgery except for single organ surgeries, interventional surgeries where access is not yet determined, premature infants, or teeth
What is site marking?
300

This is not best practice but can be done in certain situations such as: one of a kind item is dropped, hole in wrapper and no back up available but is a never event for implants

What is Immediate Use Steam Sterilization? 

400

Once filled bottles or tubs of Oxycide are only good for this amount of time

What is 24 hours?

400
Staff Food/Drinks are not allowed in these areas
What is patient care area, control desk, OR suites?
400

These items are not recommended to wear while working in the operating room but exception is made for watch and wedding ring

What is jewelry?

400

Name and Date of Birth are 2 examples of this and is used to verify the correct patient prior to any intervention

What are patient identifiers?

400

Foreign object in a tray that cannot be identified examples include: hair, bone, cement, pencil, tray lock etc. 

What is a contaminant?

500

This equipment must be checked daily, including weekends/holidays when working in the department

What is the crash carts?

500

This is the minimum amount of space required for clearance in the hallways

What is 6 feet?

500

The circulator asks about these items pre-operatively and if left on the patient increases their risk of suffering a burn.

What are piercings/jewelry/metal?

500

The time the surface must stay wet when using the purple top wipes.

What is 2 minutes?

500

The amount of time the surface must stay wet when cleaning with Oxycide

What is 3 minutes? 

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