OR Setup & Room Turnover Flashcards

During OR room turnover, which surface should be cleaned FIRST to prevent contamination of already-cleaned areas?

Answer: Overhead surgical lights

Cleaning proceeds top-to-bottom to prevent debris from soiling already-cleaned lower surfaces.

What is the minimum time a freshly cleaned OR must remain idle before the next surgical case can begin?

Answer: No mandatory idle time is required if terminal cleaning was performed

No mandatory idle time is required after routine between-case cleaning; the room can be used immediately once cleaning is complete.

A scrub technician notices a small tear in the sterile drape covering the back table. The correct action is to:

Answer: Remove all items and re-drape with new sterile drape

Any compromise to sterile draping requires complete replacement because the entire field is considered contaminated.

When setting up the back table, sutures should be placed:

Answer: In the order they will most likely be used

Organizing sutures in anticipated order of use improves efficiency and reduces errors during the procedure.

Which OR environmental condition is most critical for preventing surgical site infections?

Answer: Positive-pressure ventilation with HEPA filtration

Positive-pressure HEPA-filtered ventilation keeps airborne contaminants from entering the sterile field and reduces SSI risk.

During room turnover, when should the scrub technician break down the sterile field?

Answer: After the patient has been safely transferred from the OR table

The sterile field is maintained until the patient is transferred to preserve access to instruments in case of emergency.

What is the purpose of placing a sterile waterproof drape directly under the patient before other draping?

Answer: To create a fluid barrier protecting the sterile field from strike-through contamination

A waterproof under-drape prevents fluid strike-through, which would compromise the sterile field from below.