Page 168 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

10.2 Operation Theatre Commissioning

10.2.1 Introduction
The function of operating theater ventilation system is to prevent airborne microbial
contaminants from entering surgical wounds. Under normal circumstances, source
of airborne microbial contaminants are skin fragments released by staffs working in
the theater. A proportion of these skin scales are contaminated with the normal skin
flora (20 % are Staphylococcus aureas!) The rate of dispersions is increased in
movements and number of individuals present in the theater.

10.2.2. Types of Operating Theaters
• Conventionally ventilated theater
• Ultraclean ventilated Theaters

10.2.3 Indication for Air Sampling
• On completion of new OT building
• On completion of repair work done in the OT complex
• During investigation of Infectious Disease Outbreak

10.2.4 Planning for Infection Control Commissioning / Re-commissioning

1. Receiver request to perform commissioning from authorized personnel
2. The following conditions have been met:
• All new and refurbished work has been completed
• All engineering commissioning procedures has been completed
• Full clean of all surfaces must be completed. x3
• Ventilation system has been running continuously for 24 hours (must not in
setback setting)*
• The OT must not be use during this time and no one allowed to come in during
the sampling process
3. Get information on OT conditions from Support Service Maintenance
• Temperatures in the OT and related adjacent rooms i.e ( Scrub room, anesthetic
room, preparation room, disposal room & corridor)
• Humidity in OT room
• Pressure differentials between the rooms
• Air changes within each OT

4. Inform the OT Sister when the commissioning is to take place.

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