The Clean Steam Crew
The Fluid and spray that is used to pre-clean and treat instruments.
What is Sterile water and PreKlenz?
The acceptable temperature range in the OR is between these two numbers.
What is 68–75°F (20–24°C)?
This department is responsible for preventive maintenance and inspection of OR equipment.
What is Biomedical or Clinical Engineering?
This is the purpose of performing a surgical time out.
What is to verify the correct patient, procedure, and site before incision?
This person is responsible for obtaining informed consent.
Who is the licensed independent practitioner performing the procedure?
This step should be taken if equipment is compromised or damaged.
What is Remove from Service?
This step should be taken when there is a lumen in an instrument.
What is flushing with sterile water?
The humidity in the operating room must stay within this range.
What is 20–60% relative humidity?
Before using an anesthesia machine or monitor, staff must always check for this.
What is a current inspection sticker, successful self-test, cleanliness, and functionality?
These team members must all participate in the surgical time out.
What is the entire surgical team — surgeon, anesthesia, and nursing?
Consent must always be completed before this point.
What is before sedation, anesthesia, or any invasive procedure begins?
This process is to be conducted at the end of the day.
What is terminal cleaning?
The term for blood, debris, or microorganisms found on instruments or equipment.
What is bioburden?
The OR must maintain this type of pressure compared to adjacent areas.
What is positive pressure?
When an alarm sounds on OR equipment, this should always be your first action.
What is assess the patient first, then troubleshoot the device?
The time out is performed at this point in the procedure.
What is immediately before the incision or start of the procedure?
A History & Physical is valid for this long before a procedure.
What is 30 days, with an update within 24 hours of admission or prior to surgery?
This step is done in the cleaning process once the trash has been taken out of the OR room.
What is wiping down all horizontal and high-touch surfaces from top to bottom?
The time when the cleaning process should begin.
What is immediately after use?
Temperature, humidity, and pressure should be monitored at least this often.
What is continuously (if electronically monitored) or at least daily?
If you find a frayed cord or gas leak on any OR equipment, you must do this immediately.
What is remove the device from service, tag it, and report it to Biomed?
Two of these identifiers must be used to confirm patient identity.
What are two patient identifiers such as name, date of birth, or MRN?
If the H&P is still current, this documentation must still be completed within 24 hours.
What is a written attestation stating the patient was examined and no changes occurred?
This is the direction in which the OR should be cleaned.
What is Clean to Dirty?
This steps should be taken for scopes before sending to decontamination.
What is placing in a protective sheath, or wrapping a wet towel on top or around the scope, and it in its tray?
If the environment goes out of range, staff must do these two things.
What is notify Facilities and document the variance with corrective actions?
This is how often life-support and anesthesia equipment must be inspected.
What is at least annually or per manufacturer/hospital policy?
If a discrepancy is found during the time out, this must happen.
What is the procedure stops until the issue is resolved and verified?
These elements make up a complete and compliant H&P.
What are medical/surgical history, allergies, medications, review of systems, physical exam, and plan?
This is to be performed prior to the first scheduled procedure of the day.
What is damp dusting?