Environmental Hygiene Issues in the Hospital: The Operating Room and the ICU

Issue Summary

Patients can be at their most vulnerable when they are in a critical care environment of the operating room (OR) or the intensive care unit (ICU). That's why it's essential that these two areas of the hospital receive scrupulous environmental cleaning and disinfection per recommended practices. This Pulse explores environmental cleaning and disinfection issues pertaining to the OR and the ICU.

Table of Contents

• The Operating Room (OR)
• The Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• The Prior-Occupant Issue

Takeaways for Your Business

• Thorough, routine cleaning of high-touch objects is an effective approach to limiting transmission of pathogens
• Environmental cleaning and disinfection helps eliminate the potential for cross-contamination of objects and surfaces
• Proper procedure is critical because pathogens are left behind by prior occupants of patient-care areas