Cleanliness in the operating room is an absolute must. Cleaning routines must be clearly understood and carefully followed. The cause of postoperative wound infections have, on occasion, been traced to the operating room. Since no two patients are alike and all patients have their own "resident" bacteria, every surgical case must be considered to be contaminated.

At the beginning of each day, all the fixtures, equipment, and furniture in each operating room will be damp-dusted with an antiseptic germicide solution. During the operation, keep the room clean and orderly at all times. Should sponges be dropped on the floor, or if blood or other body fluids spill, clean the area immediately using a disinfectant germicide solution and a clean cloth. Between operations, clean all used items. The area of the floor occupied by the surgical team must be cleaned using the wet vacuum method. If a wet vacuum is not available, mops may be used, but a clean mop head must be used following each operation. Gowns and gloves must be removed before leaving the room. All linens and surgical drapes must be bagged and removed from the room. All trash and disposable items must be bagged and taken from the room. All instruments must be washed by gloved hands or placed in perforated trays and put through a washer/sterilizer.

At the completion of the day's operations, each operating room should be terminally cleaned using an antiseptic germicide solution and the following tasks accomplished.

Clean all wall-or ceiling-mounted equipment.
Clean all spotlights and lights on tracks.
Thoroughly scrub all furniture used in the room, including the wheels.

Clean metal buckets and other waste receptacles and, if possible, put them through the washer/sterilizer.
Clean scrub sinks.
Machine scrub the entire floor in each room. If a machine is not available, use a large floor brush.

Suction up the disinfectant germicide solution that is used on the floor, using a wet vacuum. If mops are used, make sure a clean mop head is used for each room.

NOTE:The use of mops in the operating room is the LEAST DESIRABLE method of cleaning.