SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN
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 degrees F?
These must fully cover the mouth and nose in restricted areas where sterile supplies or scrubbed personnel are present.
What are surgical masks?
This is the purpose of performing a surgical time out.
What is to verify the correct patient, procedure, and site before incision?
This must be performed for 6 minutes using an antimicrobial agent before donning sterile gloves for surgery.
What is a surgical hand antisepsis (surgical hand scrub)?
This person is responsible for obtaining informed consent.
Who is the licensed independent practitioner performing the procedure?
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?
These must cover all head and facial hair for personnel and visitors in semi-restricted and restricted areas.
What are surgical caps or hoods?
These team members must all participate in the surgical time out.
What is the entire surgical team – surgeon, anesthesia, and nursing?
According to CDC guidance, this is the preferred method for routine hand hygiene in the OR when hands are not visibly soiled.
What is alcohol-based hand sanitizer (hand rub)?
Consent must always be completed before this point.
What is before sedation, anesthesia, or any invasive procedure begins?
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?
These are often banned or restricted because they can harbor microorganisms even after hand hygiene.
What are artificial nails (acrylics, gels, extenders)?
The time out is performed at this point in the procedure.
What is immediately before the incision or start of the procedure?
These individuals are NOT permitted to open sterile trays or implants onto the sterile field because they are not part of the sterile team and doing so could compromise sterility.
Who are vendors (device representatives)?
A History & Physical is valid for this long before a procedure.
What is 30 days, with an update within 24 hours of admission or before surgery?
The time when the cleaning process should begin for instruments.
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?
According to infection control guidelines, this must be done before leaving the OR or patient care area to prevent contamination.
What is removing and discarding PPE?
Two of these identifiers must be used to confirm patient identity.
What are two patient identifiers such as name, date of birth, or MRN?
When preparing contaminated instruments for transport to decontamination, these must be separated to prevent injury, and these must be opened to ensure proper cleaning of all surfaces.
What are sharps separated and hinged instruments opened?
This service must be provided by the hospital to ensure patients who do not speak or understand English can fully comprehend their care, treatment, and consent in the operating room.
What are interpretive (interpreter) services for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP)?
These 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 placing it in its tray?
If the environment goes out of range, staff must do these two things.
What is notify Facilities and Clinical Coordinator?
This type of PPE protects the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures that may generate splashes or sprays.
What are face shields, goggles, and masks?
If a discrepancy is found during the time out, this must happen.
What is the procedure stops until the issue is resolved and verified?
This process requires documenting a unique identifier (such as a lot or serial number), maintaining chain-of-custody, and recording the final disposition of a device implanted into a patient to ensure full traceability.
What is human tissue and implant tracking (UDI tracking) in the operating room?
These elements make up a complete and compliant H&P.
What are medical/surgical history, allergies, medications, review of systems, physical exam, and plan?