Surgical Technology Principles Notes

Surgical Technology Principles

  • Temperature Control

    • Operating room temperatures may be adjusted to:

    • Prevent patient hypothermia.

    • Deliberately induce hypothermia if medically required.

  • Humidity Control

    • Maintained to inhibit growth/spread of:

    • Fungi.

    • Water-borne bacteria.

    • Achieved through:

    • Humidification systems.

    • Dehumidification systems.

Air Changes and Filtering

  • Air Changes per Hour (ACH)

    • Defined as the rate at which air is replaced in a given space.

    • Fresh air is vital for removing:

    • Particles.

    • Contaminants without causing turbulence.

    • Fresh air can be sourced from:

    • Outside air.

    • Conditioned air via filtration systems.

  • Filters

    • High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters:

    • Designed to trap particles from 1 to 5 microns, including bacteria and mold.

    • Effective against even smaller virus particles.

Air Pressure and Flow

  • Air Pressure

    • Can be:

    • Increased (Positive Pressure)

    • Decreased (Negative Pressure)

    • In the operating room:

    • Pressure is higher than adjacent areas, preventing contamination.

    • When doors open, positive pressure prevents outside air infiltration.

  • Laminar Air Flow

    • A unidirectional airflow system used to maintain a sterile field.

    • Creates a “curtain” of ultra-clean air around sterile areas.

    • Importance:

    • Sterile instruments should be within this airflow “curtain.”

    • Personnel must not interrupt this airflow to maintain sterility.

Personal Cleanliness and Hand Hygiene

  • Importance of Personal Cleanliness

    • Essential for preventing the spread of microorganisms.

    • Microbes can transfer from one person to surfaces, increasing infection risk.

  • Routine Hand Washing

    • All perioperative staff must wash hands according to:

    • Current healthcare practices before procedures.

    • This is a critical task for infection control in healthcare settings.

  • Hand Hygiene Practices

    • Frequent handwashing and the use of hand rub gels are critical to prevent contamination.

    • Hand hygiene methods should be adhered to, including the use of:

    • Sealed dispensers for hand sanitizers to avoid contamination.

  • Nail and Fingernail Maintenance

    • Personnel must maintain nails to avoid injury and enhance hand dexterity:

    • Fingernails should not exceed 2 mm in length.

    • Regular cleaning of nails with a nail brush is recommended.

  • Nail Polish and Extensions

    • Recommendations vary on wearing nail polish in the OR environment.

    • Concerns exist about chipped nail polish contributing to infection risk.

  • Skin Health

    • Individuals working in surgical environments must maintain hygiene to reduce microbial transmission.

    • Daily bathing and shampooing are necessary to manage sebum production and reduce bacteria.

  • Risks from Skin and Nasopharynx

    • Bacteria shed from skin and nasopharynx present risks in the OR.

    • Healthcare workers must exercise stringent hygiene prior to patient interaction.