Case study (questions 16-19) After six (6) weeks Elaine was moved to the operati
ID: 123401 • Letter: C
Question
Case study (questions 16-19)
After six (6) weeks Elaine was moved to the operating theatre. Elaine was excited to be working in this area but was also slightly apprehensive as she was aware that the work practices would be quite different and infection control would be critical. On entering the operating suite Elaine was given a thorough orientation and tour of the facility. Elaine found that she would be required to wear special clothing when she entered the operating suite and that different uniform or clothing requirements were needed for different areas. Elaine was told that she would commence work in the Central Sterilising Department which is responsible for cleaning all operating bundles and also the sterile stock for the ward areas. As part of her new role Elaine was given the opportunity to partake in the Continuous Development Education Program for theatre staff. Elaine was quite excited about this as this will give her credits towards her ongoing education in Infection Control.
Question 16. In the theatre complex Elaine will be exposed to blood and sharps on a frequent basis. What should Elaine do if she has a sharps injury?
Question 17. In the central sterilising room of the operating department all of the surgical instruments are brought in after use for cleaning and disinfecting. Before entry, what sign should be on the wall of the department>
Question 18. Why is there a separate decontamination area in a theatre complex?
Question 19. Can Elaine move equipment and medicaments from one area to the other in the operating suite?
Explanation / Answer
16. Wash the injury or wound with water and soap,or use any antiseptic if water is unavailable.Do not squeeze or rub the injury site.Do not apply any pressure if bleeding is still occured,keep the injured site under running tap water and use a bandage or waterproof dressing if necessary.
17.Before entering the sterilising department, signs that are kept on the wall are "STERILIZATION ROOM" , "BIOHAZARD" , "NO ENTRY FOR OUTSIDERS"
18.Separate decontamination area is mandatory for infection control. It is to ensure that nursing staff,equipments,operating materials needed for patient surgery should be kept in disinfected area as there are more chances of nosocomial infections.Storage of high level disinfectants and equipments,PPE,theatre attire etc should be placed in a decontaminated area once it is sterilised.
19.Operation suite is an environment in which all the sources of infection can easily get affected either to the staff or the patient.Moving equipments from one area to the other gives a lot of chance for infection.If careful planning of maintainance and periodic checks of cleanliness and disinfection is done in operation suite then it would not cause much infections.It depends upon the operating unit arrangement in which the infectious and non-infectious pathways should be kept different which reduces the risk factor of contamination .