Operation Theater Zones and Areas:

In the environment there are many pathogens which can be found on different surfaces and air. The internal part of our body is a germ-free environment. During surgery the internal part is opened surgically to treat the diseased part. in this way there is a chance to pathogens present in our environment to enter in the body. For this purpose, the surgical procedures are done in a special department where the number of pathogens is minimized to save the risk of infection in order to achieve the sterility the operating complex are divided into zones and areas. 

view-of-operating-room


Zones of operation theater:

                                                               Following are zones of operation theater.

Outer Zone refers to all parts of a hospital other than the operation theater.
These include
·         OPD
·         Laboratory
·         Diagnostic departments cafeteria
·         Wards
·         And other department of hospital

Clean zone:

Outside area of the operating room is included in clean zone. In this zone no one is allowed to enter without P.P.E.

Aseptic zone:

The operating room is called aseptic zone

Disposal zone:

The Zone from which contaminated instruments and supplies are removed is disposal zone.

 Areas of Operation Theater:

To control infection the operation theater complex is also divided into some areas from which hospital staff, patient and attendants needs special precautions these areas includes
  •        Non restricted area
  •        Semi restricted area
  •        Restricted area


 Non restricted area:

In Non restricted area hospital staff patients and attendants can move without any personal protective equipment. this area has following departments
  •  Operation theater reception
  •  Peri-operative Wards
  •  Waiting areas
  •  Shoes changing area

Semi restricted areas:

In the semi restricted area, the hospital staff need to change their street cloths and change a special kit that is cleaned by hospital. The hairs are covered by surgical caps and masks are used.   At this point the patient is also donned into clean gown or disposable OT suit.
Semi restricted areas include
1.      Changing rooms
2.      Surgeon office
3.      Nursing staff office
4.      Anesthesia office
5.      Store rooms of medical devices  

Restricted Area:

It’s a sterile area which no one is allowed to enter without OT Kit, face mask, special OT shoes and googles. This area is also known as procedure room. In this area following units
  •         Scrub sink
  •        Sterile corridors outside the operating room
  •        Store room for sterilized sets
  •        Store room for special medical devices such as laparoscopy machine, microscope, and other devices which are used in different procedure.