1-31. WET-VACUUM METHOD (RECOMMENDED)
a. Discussion. For floor cleaning at the end of a day's schedule, the wet-
vacuum method is more effective in reducing the bacterial count on the floor than the
mop-and-pail method.
b. Procedure.
(1)
Wipe down the furniture with a germicide solution and remove it from the
room.
(2) Flood the floor with a germicide, beginning with the most heavily
contaminated area (usually the area around the operating table). If flooding does not
remove the soil, scrub the area with a clean mop head and pour additional solution on
the area. At this point, the solution will have been on the floor for several minutes.
(3) Remove the excess solution from the floor with the wet vacuum pickup.
This ensures that dirty solutions are removed from cracks, crevices, corners, and so
forth.
Wheel the furniture into the OR over a germicide-soaked
(4)
mat.
(5)
Wipe the furniture down with a germicidal solution.
1-32. MOP-AND-PAIL METHOD (ALTERNATIVE)
a. Rules. The mop-and-pail method of floor cleaning can spread infectious
organisms throughout the OR suite unless certain rules are understood and
followed.
(1)
There should be an individual mop for each area within the surgical
suite.
(2)
Operating room mop heads should be laundered and sterilized daily.
(3)
A fresh germicidal solution should be used for each area.
(4) Mop heads should not be stored in used germicidal solution between
periods of utilization.
(5)
Mop heads should be changed between all cases.
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