Journal of Hospital Infection, 1993;23(1):61-70
Abstract:

There is increasing interest in the layout, design, building and equipping of operating theatres and both national and professional guidelines are available. Certain design features are important to reduce or minimize postoperative infection and it is therefore essential that the Infection Control Team is involved from the outset. The advice offered will be based on experience, common sense and the general principles underlying the prevention of infection. In many instances, however, hard scientific data to back up a recommendation are not available because of the very large number of observations which would be required to show a reduction in postoperative infection rates. The importance of the role of the Infection Control Team equally applies where existing theatre facilities are being upgraded or extended as this involves considerable disruption to pre-existing facilities. Additional consideration should be given where specialized theatres such as those for orthopaedic surgery are being planned because higher standards of ventilation are desirable in theatres where prosthetic joint surgery is to take place.
Humphreys, H