Infection Control Manual Section 3.

OPERATING THEATRE CLEANING GUIDELINES

Research has proved that the risk of infection from any horizontal/vertical surface is of minor significance. Therefore cleaning with disinfectant is unnecessary except when there is spillage of blood/ body fluid from a patient with a known infectious disease. The appropriate protective clothing must be worn see Protective Clothing section 2.3. OPERATING SUITE including: Anaesthetic Room, Scrub Preparation Room, Operating Room, Offices and Corridors. Room,

Furniture and all horizontal surfaces must be kept clean and dry and free from visual dirt/dust.

SURFACE

FREQUENCY OF CLEANING

SUBSTANCE TO BE USED

a) Spot mop spillage between cases FLOORS b) Clean at the end of a list.

a) Use appropriate cleansing agent/ disinfectant as advised page 3.1.1) b) Warm water and detergent, dry thoroughly. c) Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly. a) Use Chlorine releasing tablets (as advised page 3:1:1) b) Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly.

c) Use scrub machine once daily. a) Splashes of body fluid, e.g. blood must be cleaned off immediately WALLS b) All walls to be cleaned by wall washing team every 3-6 months.

HORIZONTAL SURFACES

Daily

Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly.

3.4.1

Revised August 2009 For Review August 2012

Infection Control Manual Section 3.4

FURNITURE

a) Splashes of body fluid e.g. blood must be cleaned off immediately

Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly, and for blood contamination as advised see page 3.1.1 Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly.

b) In between patient use

c) Daily

Warm water and detergent and dry thoroughly

WASH/ HAND BASINS

See Cleaning Policy page 3.2.1

CLEANING EQUIPMENT
Disposable cloths/paper must be used for cleaning and must be discarded after use.

EQUIPMENT

CLEANING METHOD

FREQUENCY

MOPS MOP BUCKETS SCRUBBING MACHINE (Designated for operating theatre use only):

Must be disposable or laundered. Cleaned and dried thoroughly.

Daily Daily

BRUSH AND PADS TANK

Detached and washed and dried. Machines with a tank should preferably not be used. However if scrubbing machines with a tank are used, the tank must be disconnected, emptied, washed and stored dry. a) Disconnect from the machine. b) Flush with warm water. c) Leave to dry.
3.4.2

After each use Between use

TANK TUBING

Between use.

Revised August 2009 For Review August 2012

Infection Control Manual Section 3.4

REFERENCES:
1. Ayliffe G A J; Coates D; Hoffman P. PHLS Cheminal Disinfection in Hospitals. Second edition 1993. 2. NHS Estates (2002). National Standards of Cleanliness for the NHS. April 2001 (updated August 2002) 3. DOH NHS Estates. NHS Cleaning Manual. March 2004.

3.4.3 Revised August 2009 For Review August 2012