TheatrePracticeStandardsGeneric1

Generic Theatre Standard No 06 - Management of Patients with
known Infections or carriers of Infectious Agents
Standard Statement: All Theatre staff will have knowledge of the requirements for caring for
patients with known Infections or carriers of Infectious Agents in the operating department to
protect self, colleagues and patients from the risk of health care acquired infection.
General considerations
• Training all staff involved in the care of the patient must be aware of the specific
precautions and have received adequate training.
• Briefing should include a quick check to ensure all staff are aware of the specific
precautions, patient’s position on the list, recovery time/place and sufficient
environment/equipment cleaning time all should be highlighted and discussed.
• Communication is absolutely essential prior to handover, so the next healthcare team
have the ability to instigate isolation procedures, as necessary.
• Flow The essence of this is maintaining adherence with infection control policy but also
maintaining flow through our theatres. Sensible and thoughtful application with
discussion between all care givers will allow for better flow.
• In order to limit accidental exposure good theatre practice/technique includes keeping
staff to a minimum, trying to reduce unnecessary movement of personnel from one zone
to another, raising awareness and keeping only the equipment/items relevant for the
surgery taking place in the theatre. Standard precautions must be adhered to. The
theatre doors must be kept closed to aid the efficiency of the ventilation systems. As far
as possible all personnel, surgical instruments and sundries must be sourced prior to the
case being undertaken.
• Recovery PACU Known infectious patients do not always need to be recovered in
theatre. Safety gel, granules/sachets to be used when transporting possibly infected
fluids, e.g. urine from the bay to the sluice. Appropriate communication with the recovery
team must occur to ensure that they are informed of the patient’s status. The recovery
bay and all equipment must be cleaned following transfer to the ward. Recovery staff
must ensure that the receiving ward is fully aware of infectious status, in a timely manner
to allow the receiving ward to make any necessary arrangements.
• Waste Contaminated PPE and clinical waste disposed into yellow bags for incineration.
Contaminated clothing and reusable bedding disposed into red bags for infected
laundering. Safety gel/granules to be applied to spillages or when carrying possibly
infected bodily fluids from theatre to sluice and when disposing, to prevent splash back.
Please see individual standards for or specific guidance on
• Staff risk
• Patient position on list schedule
• Hand Hygiene
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Environment/equipment cleaning
• Recovery PACU instructions
Quick-view chart on list position and recovery placement for each infectious agent can be
seen below.
Compliance: 100%
Exceptions: None
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