Hyderabad: Hospitals go to great lengths to make an operation theatres as sterile as possible, sealing every crack in the floor and gap in the wall.
Dr Rajnesh Reddy, a surgical gastroenterologist, said, “It is safe to say that not every architect can build an operation theatre, The design and airflow are very crucial. Places for instrument disposal and the flooring should be seamless with no cracks. Bacteria resides in cracks. All the wiring must be underground or in overhead ducts.”
Hospitals use high-energy particulate absorbers in their air conditioning ducts to ensure that no bacteria enters the operation theatre.
The filter ensures that the air is free from bacteria and the airflow is unidirectional which is what is needed. We make sure that the antibacterial paints are used in operating theatres and there are no holes in the floor or walls,” said Dr Vimalakar Reddy, a surgeon.
To ensure that no bacteria dwells in operation rooms, hospitals have appointed microbiologists who check swabs that have been used to inspect operating theatres. Keerthi Rai, a microbiologist says, “In some hospitals, over 80 to 100 operations are held every day and yet bacterial infections are being reported less and less because of the due care that is given for operating rooms. With new flooring, we can ensure that there is no hidden bacteria and cleaning becomes easier.”
