Contamination in the Operating Room Environment: Patients, Providers, Surfaces, and Air

Abstract

This chapter discusses contamination in the operating room environment. It is a common misconception that the operating room, including the anesthesia work area, is entirely sterile. The evidence for pathogen transmission in the operating room is growing and implicates multiple sources of contamination including patients, providers, surfaces, and air. We discuss infection prevention measures that have been shown to prevent pathogen transmission in the operating room. Infection prevention measures should protect healthcare workers as well as patients. The interactions among pathogen transmission in the operating room, infection prevention measures, and healthcare-associated infections need further research.