The Latest Updated 17 Operating Room Infection Control Procedures from the Ministry of Health

The operating room is where crucial surgeries take place, determining the lives of patients. Therefore, this place always needs to be kept clean and free from infection. Let’s explore the operating room infection control procedures together with INTECH Group.

1. Operating Room Infection Control Procedures from the Ministry of Health

At the hospital’s operating room, the process of inspecting and controlling infections is clearly regulated with strict requirements, including:

Procedure 1: Organizing infection control for the hospital

Procedure 2: Supervising organization and service management

Procedure 3: Isolation measures to prevent infection

Procedure 4: Infection control procedures for hand washing

Procedure 5: Procedures for using protective equipment in the operating room

Procedure 6: Procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing devices used in the operating room

Procedure 7: Practices for pneumonia prevention in hospital environments

Procedure 8: Practices for infection control for surgical incisions

Procedure 9: Practices for infection control for hospital-acquired bloodstream infections

Procedure 10: Practices for infection control for hospital-acquired urinary tract infections

Procedure 11: Practices for infection control for skin and soft tissue infections

Procedure 12: Architectural and organizational standards in clinical departments

Procedure 13: Principles of appropriate antibiotic use during surgery

Procedure 14: Procedures for preventing the transmission of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C through occupational exposure

Procedure 15: Procedures for managing all fabric items used in the hospital

Procedure 16: Cleaning procedures for the entire hospital

Procedure 17: Waste management procedures

2. Other Requirements Related to operating room Infection Control

The operating room should be located away from sources of contamination such as Infectious Disease Departments, Sanitation Areas, etc.

There should be separate aseptic and antiseptic operating rooms. The walls and floors in the operating area must be smooth and impermeable to water.

Changing and showering rooms for surgical teams must be provided.

The operating room door should be tightly closed (except when it needs to be opened to move equipment, surgical teams, and patients). The air pressure in the operating room should be slightly higher than outside to prevent dust and bacteria from entering the room.

All devices and equipment used in the operating room must be sterilized according to appropriate methods based on the characteristics and materials of the devices.

3. Measures for Operating Room Infection Control

3.1 Construction of Operating Rooms According to Standards

An ideal operating room is one in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled. Designing and constructing operating rooms require attention to detail and ensuring a rational structure, so that the presence, generation, and maintenance of particles in the room are minimized. Additionally, other factors such as temperature, humidity, and pressure within the room must also be controlled.

To achieve bacterial contamination control processes, constructing operating rooms that meet clean standards is essential. Currently, the clean room standards are as follows:

For low-grade clean rooms, the particle standards are 0.5 µm and 5 µm.

For Class 7000 clean rooms, the particle standard is 2 µm.

Note: Fine dust: < 2 – 5 µm + Coarse dust: > 2 – 5 µm

3.2 Development and Dissemination of Guidelines, Regulations, Procedures, and Infection Control Plans

To implement measures for building and disseminating regulations on disease control, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that hospitals and medical facilities should:

Develop, approve, and disseminate guidelines, regulations, procedures (collectively referred to as regulations) for infection control.

Develop, approve, and disseminate infection control plans based on national action plans, quality objectives for infection control appropriate to the resources and practical conditions of the healthcare facility, in each stage.

3.3 Management and Handling of Medical Equipment and devices

According to the Ministry of Health regulations, hospitals or medical facilities need to concentrate on managing and handling medical equipment and devices, controlling the processing of reusable medical devices centrally to ensure safety and quality.

Medical equipment and devices, after processing, need to be stored and ensured to be sterile before use on patients, especially surgical tables, chemical storage cabinets. Hospitals and facilities need to inspect and supervise compliance with regulations on managing and processing medical equipment and devices in departments and rooms.

4. Standardized Consultancy for Design and Construction of Operating Rooms

Due to the complexity of operating rooms, professional design and construction companies with experience are required to optimize and standardize construction plans and provide rational, cost-effective solutions for hospitals and healthcare facilities.

With a team of experienced, competent staff, INTECH Group is committed to providing consultancy, design, and construction services for clean rooms and operating rooms in hospitals with the best quality, rationality, and cost-effectiveness. Contact INTECH Group now to receive detailed advice from our engineers and experts.