ANSWERS

1. List the items of theatre clothing that should be worn by all theatre personnel.
   • Caps.
   • Masks.
   • Scrub suits.
   • Antistatic footwear.
2. In addition to the items listed in Q1, what additional attire should be worn by the surgical team?
   • Sterile gowns.
   • Sterile gloves.
3. Why is a well-ventilated theatre essential?
   Hot, humid conditions encourage the growth of pathogens (especially Pseudomonas spp.) and pose a great threat to asepsis.
4. In addition to the operating theatre itself, list the other areas which comprise the theatre suite.
   • Patient preparation area (for induction of anaesthesia, catheterisation, clipping and surgical site preparation).
   • Changing room for theatre personnel.
   • Recovery room (a warm, quiet area fully equipped for dealing with post-operative emergencies).
   • Surgeons' scrub up area.
   • Sterile storage area.
   • Washing & sterilising room.
5. List 10 essential properties of the theatre.
   • Must be a closed, clean environment that is an end room rather than a thoroughfare.
   • Good lighting.
   • Well ventilated.
   • Ambient temperature of 15-20°C.
   • Scavenge system for anaesthetic waste gas.
   • Adjustable operating table.
   • Power supply (in waterproof casing).
   • Easily cleaned, hard-wearing, non-slip floors.
   • Easily cleaned walls painted in a light colour with impervious paint.
   • Minimal shelving and furniture (to avoid dust accumulation).
6. List desirable features of the theatre.
   • X-ray viewer.
   • Air supply for power tools.
   • Wall clock.
   • Dry wipe board.
   • Double swing doors.
   • Frosted glass windows (these should be kept closed).
   • Coved corners and edges of walls to facilitate cleaning.
7. Every practice will have its own set of local rules drawn up with regard to theatre procedures. Can you name some common sense rules that will be similar across the board?
   • No admittance by unauthorised personnel. Personnel in the theatre to be kept to a minimum (the greater the number of people, the greater the risk of infection).
   • Ensure that all equipment is regularly serviced and a maintenance record kept.
   • The correct attire to be worn at all times.
   • No eating, drinking or smoking.
   • Use a new set of sterile instruments for each surgical procedure.
   • Maintain a strict cleaning protocol.
   • Plan the surgical list to ensure that clean procedures are carried out first and contaminated surgery last.
   • The surgical team must not touch any non-sterile surfaces during surgery.
   • Ensure that any contaminated instruments or equipment are not returned to the sterile trolley.
   • Keep a record book of all surgical procedures so that if any sepsis problems should arise, the cause can be detected.
8. List 6 hazards that may pose a risk to theatre personnel.
   • Pollution from anaesthetic gases.
   • Sharps (needles, blades and stylets).
   • Clinical waste.
   • Pathological material.
   • Chemicals.
   • Drugs.
9. Briefly outline the duties of the scrubbed nurse.
   • Prepare the instrument trolley.
   • Assist in draping the patient.
   • Pass sterile instruments, swabs and equipment to the veterinary surgeon as necessary.
   • Assist with surgery as necessary.
   • Take responsibility for all instruments and equipment used during surgery.
   • Carrying out a swab and instrument count prior to closure of the wound.
10. Briefly outline the duties of the circulating nurse.
    • Help to prepare the theatre, equipment and instruments ready for surgery.
    • Tie the surgical team into their gowns.
    • Position the patient on the operating table.
    • Prepare the surgical site.
    • Connect apparatus (eg. diathermy).
    • Open the sterile packs.
    • Count swabs, sutures and needles (with the scrubbed nurse).
    • Assist with anaesthesia.
    • Prepare post-operative dressings.
    • Assist with the cleaning of the theatre.