Point to Remeber in the Operating Room

DRESS CODE - SURGICAL ATTIRE

1. All persons who enter the semirestricted and restricted areas of the surgical suite should be in hospital laundered surgical attire intended for use only within the surgical suite at UTMB.
2. All possible head and facial hair, including sideburns and neckline, should be covered when in the surgical suite.
3. All persons entering an operating room or centerwell area should wear a mask.
4. All personnel entering the suite should have all jewelry confined or removed. Watches and plain wedding bands are acceptable. Earrings must be covered by the scrub cap.
5. Nail polish and artificial nails should not be worn within the suite.
6. Protective barriers (gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and face shields) are provided by the hospital and should be utilized to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infective agents.
7. Shoes should be dedicated to the OR and shoe covers are not required. If shoe covers are necessary, the wearer should remove them before leaving the operating room to avoid tracking blood and debris through the department.


SURGICAL HAND SCRUB

1. A five (5) minute anatomical timed scrub will be used for all surgical hand scrubs.
2. Fingernails must be free of polish/enamel and of medium length. No jewelry is permitted on the hands and arms while performing as a member of the surgical team.
3. **Remember to put your mask on prior to starting you scrub.**
4. Wash hands and arms with solution to 2 inches above the elbow.
5. Clean fingernails with file. Take sterile brush in right hand. Wet brush with water and soap. Scrub fingernails of left hand.
6. Start scrubbing fingers of left hand, one at a time, treating each finger as four-sided; palm, knuckles, and back of hand. Repeat with right hand.
7. Scrub right wrist and continue up arm to 2 inches above elbow. Repeat with left arm. Discard brush. Rinse both hands and arms under running water keeping hands above level of elbow so that water runs off the elbows and not the hands.