This is a PowerPoint made to explain various hazards in an operation theater and with its preventive measures.This will hepl the nursing students to go through the important points rather than going into deep studies.

1. Anitta M Shaju
Roll no:12
PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN AN
OPERATION THEATRE

2. INTRODUCTION
• Operation theatre differs from other areas of hospital and care should be
taken to prevent accidents by physical , chemical or biological means.
• Accident is an unexplained, unexpected and undesired event.
• Objective:To identify the hazards present in the operating rooms and to list
actions that can be taken to minimize these hazards.

3. WHY SHOULD WE AVOID ACCIDENTS IN AN
OPERATION THEATRE?
• Every patient has the right to be treated using the safest
technology available in health facilities.
• This requires two main aspects knowledge and well trained caring
heath care workers and validated systems in operating theatres
and sterile services that will ensure safety for the patients and to
reduce harm

4. CLASSIFIACTION OF HAZARDS IN AN OT
Hazard :A situation that posses a level of threat to life ,health,property or
environment.
Hazards in an operating room:are potential sources of harm or adverse health
effects that occur in the operating room.
They are of three types :
1)Physical Hazards
2)Chemical Hazards
3)Biological Hazards

5. 1) PHYSICAL HAZARDS AND SAFEGUARDS
• A physical hazard is a type of occupational hazard that involves environmental hazards
that can cause harm with or without contact.Most common type of hazard in an OT.
• Engineering controls are often used to mitigate physical hazards
The physical facility is designed to control traffic pattern , decrease contamination,
facilitate handling of equipment's and supplies and to provide a comfortable working
environment.

6. A)ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
• Temperature control
• Ventilation
• Lighting
• Colour
• Noise

7. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Maintain adequate ventilation through AC
• Maintain adequate temperature through AC
• Lighting should be without shadow and glare
• Wall, ceiling and curtain should have light green or light blue
• Provision for soft music which is relaxing for both patient and OT
personnel

8. B)IMPROPER BODY MECHANICS
• Standing for prolonged period in an awkward position cause low back pain.
• Weight bearing on particular body part cause additional strain.
• Improper height cause back injury or low backache

9. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• OT table should be adjusted to best working height.
• Maintaining an erect posture
• Surgical team member should stand with feet apart.
• Surgical team member should wear soft leather with back open.
• Surgical team member should remain close to the OT table.

10. C)ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
• Short circuit
• Improper electrical devices cause risk for both patients and
personnel.
• Inadequate knowledge of handling electrical devices.

11. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Periodical checking and checking before using of electrical
sockets, equipment's and devices
• All electrical equipment's should be properly insulated.
• Equipment's should be turned off when not in use.
• Surgical team should use cotton gowns.
• Cotton blankets should be used for patients.

12. D)FIRE HAZARDS
• Fire is caused by short circuit,anaesthesia machines, oxygen
cylinders and other inflammable items.
Preventive measures
• Periodic checking of electrical sockets,lines.
• Anaesthesia machines should be kept away from source of heat.
• OT should be strictly no smoking zone.
• OT should have fire extinguisher ,fire alarm.

13. E)IRRADIATION HAZARD
• When x-ray is taken.
• When fluoroscopy and image intensifying apparatus are used.
• Implantation or removal of radioactive elements.

14. A) PATIENT SAFETY
B)Personnel Safety
.Time
.Distance
.Shielding

15. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Minimum exposure to fluoroscope , image intensifier and x-ray
machine.
• Unsterile members should leave OT during procedures.
• Sterile team members should keep atleast 2m distance.
• Lead aprons should be worn inside sterile gown by sterile and
unsterile members.

16. 2)CHEMICAL HAZARDS AND SAFEGUARDS
Health care providers are exposed to many chemical hazardous daily.
a)Anesthetic gases
Health hazards include risk for spontaneous abortion , cancer, hepatic and renal diseases.
• .Chronic exposure to nitrous oxide leads to neurologic problems.

17. B) STERILIZING AGENTS
The chemicals agents which are used to sterilize heat sensitive items which are toxic
and also irritating to eyes and nasal passages, even at low levels of exposure
>Ethylene Oxide
>Formaldehyde
> Glutaraldehyde

18. C)DISINFECTANTS
>Some of the disinfectants that are used to clean the equipment’s can be
irritating to the skin and eyes.
>Gloves and goggles should be worn while using these chemicals.
D) Methyl Methacrylate
 Commonly known as bone cement .
 It is a carcinogen and is toxic to liver.
 A scavenging system should be used to collect the vapours.

19. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Ventilation through AC
• Proper dilution
• Mask ,goggles and gloves for protection
• Handwashing

20. 3)BIOLOGIC HAZARDS AND SAFEGUARDS
• Transmission of infection and disease is a concern for personnel.
a)Infectious Waste
Waste having enough virulence and are capable of causing infectious
diseases.
FACTORS determining something is infectious
• Presence of pathogenic organism in sufficient number and are capable of
causing infection.
• Presence of portal of entry into a susceptible host.

21. B) BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES
A penetrating injury(needle stick ,cut) or a splash(into the eye ,onto mucous membranes)
with fluid contaminated with blood must not be ignored.
If exposure to blood or body fluid occurs. The following procedures to be performed:
• Stop the activity immediately and step back from the point of contamination.
• Squeeze skin around the needle stick or cut to expel blood and contaminants
• Cleanse puncture site
• Report the incident and seek medical attention promptly
• Follow the protocol established for follow up

22. C)LATEX ALLERGY
• Allergy to latex items.
• Lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.

23. MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDS
• Administration
• Prevention
• Correction
• Education
• Documentation
•

24. A)ADMINISTRATION
• Regulation,recommendations,guidelines and laws should be enforced to prevent disastrous
consequences of occupational hazards.
• Policies and procedures should be written reviewed and updated periodically.
• Protective attire and safety equipment’s should be made available to the employees
• Employee health services should be provided for immunisations

25. B) PREVENTION
s
Routine preventive maintenance should be provided for all potentially
hazardous equipment
C) CORRECTION
Faulty or malfunctioning equipment should be taken out of serve
immediately
Unsafe conditions should be reported.

26. C)EDUCATION
• Orientation
• Use of emergency equipments
• Protective garments
D) DOCUMENTATION
Incident reports regarding injuries to personnel and patients should be filed with the
administration of facility.

27. CONCLUSION
Prevention of injuries is vital to maintain a safe environment. Each caregiver
should seek instruction when needed and follow safety and control measures
established by facility policies and procedures.

28. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Operating room techniques ,11th edition
Berry and Kohn
 Operation theatre Nursing
Prof. Sunanda S Roy