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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
them in a bucket that's returned to sterile processing. Disinfect equip-
ment not needed for the next case and remove it from the OR. Remove
closed waste disposal system (if at capacity) and dock it for cleaning;
otherwise, disinfect its surface with wipes. Environmental services
staff assist Zone 3 by removing the trash and linen, and mopping the
OR floor.
• Zone 4. Change out the anesthesia circuit and suction tubing, and
collect the trash generated during the case. Disinfect the following
with wipes: the anesthesia machine, the automated medication stor-
age unit, the blood pressure cuff, the pulse oximeter and the EKG
leads.
Before implementing this NASCAR-inspired approach, turning
rooms over required 6 to 8 staff members. That led to confusion about
which tasks were performed and which weren't. While some tasks
were repeated, others were passed over entirely. Today, our turnovers
require a maximum of 4 staff members and our average turnover time
has decreased by about 7 minutes.
Angela Sidney, RN, BSN, MBA, CNOR
Enloe Medical Center
Chico, Calif.
angela.sidney@enloe.org