8. True or false? Items that are more than 6 feet away from the
sterile field don't require surface disinfection attention after each
case.
a. true
b. false
Answer: b. Once you've wiped down the OR table, the overhead light,
the Mayo stand and the boom-mounted equipment, the room's good
to go, right? Wrong. Don't neglect such highly touched surfaces as IV
pole hooks, light switches, portable vital signs monitors, equipment
cords and supply cabinet doorknobs.
9. Computer keyboards are one of the most contaminated, and diffi-
cult to disinfect, surfaces in the OR. If harsh disinfectants can dam-
age their delicate electronics and routine wet-wiping is too labori-
ous, what's the best alternative?
a. keyboard covers
b. washable keyboards
c. ultraviolet light
d. any of the above
Answer: d. Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in
Chicago, Ill., found that installing UV-C lamps over computer key-
boards and mice in the hospital's intensive care units reduced bacte-
rial colonization of the components by more than 99%
(osmag.net/4pBsTQ). Sealed, submersible keyboards are available
from several manufacturers, and keyboard covers are easier to wipe
down than the crevices between each key.
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