Minnesota Administrative Rules

4675.0900 SURGICAL SUITE.

The surgical suite shall include the following elements:

A.

Location and arrangement shall prevent unrelated traffic through the suite.

B.

One or more operating rooms. Each operating room shall have a floor area of not less than 225 square feet with a minimum dimension of 15 feet. Walls, ceilings, and floors shall have smooth cleanable surfaces. Equipment shall include an operating table, surgical light, and provision for oxygen and vacuum. Operating rooms using flammable anesthetic shall be designed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, 1975 edition, for such use.

C.

A scrub sink with foot, knee, or automatic controls adjacent to the entrance to each operating room, or in a central location convenient to such rooms.

D.

A clean work room for assembly and storage of clean and sterile surgical supplies and instruments. It shall contain a work counter, sink with institutional fittings for hand washing, and storage cabinets or shelving. A high-speed sterilizer is required in this area if a sterilizer is not provided in the general clean and sterile supply room.

E.

A soiled work room for disposal or collection of soiled materials generated in surgery. It shall contain a flushing rim sink, work counter and sink with institutional fittings, and space for collection of waste and soiled linen. Institutional fittings shall include: mixing faucet with gooseneck spout, wrist-action controls, and open grid strainer.

F.

Space for cleaning, testing, and storage of anesthetic equipment. It shall contain a work counter and sink with institutional fittings.

G.

A janitors closet with a service sink and shelving for cleaning supplies for exclusive use by the surgical suite.

H.

Gowning areas for the surgical staff, both male and female. Each area shall contain lockers; toilet; and a lavatory with open grid strainer, wrist- , foot- , or knee-control mixing faucet for hand washing; and separate storage provisions for clean and soiled gowns and boots. The areas shall be arranged to provide initial entry without entering the operating suite and shall permit direct access to the surgical suite by staff prepared for surgery.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 144.56

Published Electronically:

January 21, 2000