The cleaning process of the operating room: the health risks for patient and worker

Abstract

Descriptive study conducted from 2007 to 2008 in a teaching hospital in Goiânia-GO, with the nursing and hygiene/cleanliness team which aimed to characterize the cleanliness of surgical rooms and compliance of surgical center professionals with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The preparatory cleaning was done in 87.5% of the surgical rooms. Of the 40 surgeries observed, 37.5% had organic matter fall on the floor without proper cleaning. Disinfection of surfaces and equipment with 70% alcohol was not observed in any of the shifts. The proper use of PPE was ignored by 14.3% of nurses in the morning shift, and 41.7% in the afternoon. There is a strong need for professionals’ training of the process of cleaning an operating room, the use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and reflection on their responsibility in controlling infection at the surgical site.

Descriptors: Nursing; Decontamination; Operating Rooms.