operatingroom

An operating room (OR) is a controlled environment designed for performing surgical procedures. It is structured to minimize infection risk and optimize patient safety, anesthesia delivery, and intraoperative monitoring. The OR typically includes a sterile field, a movable operating table, adjustable lighting, and access to essential support systems.

An OR suite often comprises the main room plus adjacent areas for patient preparation, gowning, and sterile instrument processing. The environment is tightly controlled for temperature, humidity, and air quality, with positive pressure and high-efficiency filtration to reduce airborne contaminants. Equipment commonly found in an OR includes an anesthesia machine, patient monitors, infusion pumps, suction, an electrosurgical unit, and imaging capabilities such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound. A sterile field is maintained with draped instruments and sterile gowns, and the room layout supports efficient workflow.

Personnel typically includes surgeons, anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, circulating nurses, surgical technologists, and other support staff. The perioperative workflow follows a structured sequence: patient verification and consent, anesthesia induction and monitoring, positioning and prepping, a time-out to confirm patient, procedure, and site, the operation itself, and postoperative transfer to recovery or an intensive care unit as needed.

Safety and infection control are central to OR practice. Aseptic technique, hand hygiene, and strict instrument sterilization prevent infection. Safety systems include surgical checklists, counts of instruments and materials, labeling and radiofrequency safety, and fire precautions. Advances in operating rooms include robotic-assisted platforms and integrated digital systems that coordinate data, imaging, and documentation.