b. Personal Protection and Preparation.
Prior to entering the
operating room (OR), clean all exterior surfaces of your equipment by wiping
with a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol with the exception of the lens
which can be cleaned with lens cleaner. Next, suit yourself up in a scrub
suit, surgical cap, mask, and conductive overshoe.
These items will be
provided by the surgical staff.
WARNING
With the presence of ether or oxygen, there is danger
of ignition by sparks from the capacitor in electronic
flash units. Never place any electrical equipment on
the floor, since the gases used in the OR are heavier
than air and normally are suspended within 2 feet off
the floor.
(1) Because the OR can be a dangerous place to use photographic
lighting equipment, check with the anesthesiologist about the lighting you
expect to use.
(2) Put your electrical equipment on carts or suspend it from light
stands. You will notice that all electrical outlets in an OR are installed
at eye level.
c. Sterile Fields.
Part of your research should be to acquaint
yourself with the sterile fields that are established in the OR.
Sterile
fields are broken into three classifications:
(1) STERILE.
(a) The surgeon.
(b) The surgical area around the patient.
(c) The instrument tray.
(d) Anyone in direct contact with the above.
(2) CONSIDERED STERILE.
The space from the sterile areas to the
ceiling.
4-8
SS0516
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