An Operation Theater trolley is a mobile, multi-functional cart designed to organize and transport surgical instruments, consumables, and equipment within the sterile environment of an operating room. It plays a crucial role in maintaining efficiency, sterility, and accessibility during surgical procedures.
Definition
It is the preliminary preparation of the operating room performed as a cooperative effort involving the scrub nurse and the circulatory nurse, before the patient enters for the surgical procedure.
Purposes of Operation Theater Trolley
- Proper disposal of contaminated objects like soiled sponge, blood spill, soiled drapes, tubing’s, etc., which can be a source of cross contamination.
- To ensure uninterrupted surgical procedure by the presence of equipment and machinery which are in good working condition.
- Collect and ensure necessary sterile supplies for the operation which are easily accessible or within reach.
- Maintain the aseptic environment of the operating rooms to ensure minimal cross infection.
- To provide systematic and updated relevant information to the operating team. For example, display of sponge count before and after the operation procedure: identification data of the patient to be operated, name of the surgery to be performed, operating surgeon’s name, etc.
Articles
Equipment of the operating room (OR)
- Operating table with functional pedals and stopper.
- Operating room lights, cautery, connections.
- Suction apparatus with tubing’s, IV pole, anaesthetic unit.
- Necessary equipment’s as per the surgical procedure.
- Footstool, trolleys, kick buckets or waste disposal containers,
- Sterile supplies:
- Large: Drape pack, gown pack, preparation tray, instrument tray, basin set.
- Small: Sutures, needles, tubing’s, accessories specific to the procedure, e.g., valve set, etc.
- Cleaning the operating room (OR).
- Carbolic solution.
- Duster.
- Gloves.
Procedure
| Nursing Action | Rationale | |
| 1 | Circulatory nurse Acquired, information about surgery to be performed, patient details, operating surgeon, and anesthetic. | Helps in accurate, easy, and quick preparation of operating room. |
| 2 | Perform hand washing. Don the surgical cap and mask. | Surgical cap covers the hair completely and mask snuggly fits the nose and mouth to prevent possible contamination of the sterile area. |
| 3 | Damp dust the operating room using the duster dipped in carbolic solution as per agency policy perform unless this has already been done by personnel on the previous shift. Damp dust the operating room overhead light, then the operating table. Work from the center of the room to the perimeter (outer limits). | Dry dusting and mopping is never done in the operating room because it raises dust that contains bacteria. Start with the tallest equipment and work down since this method helps the settling of airborne microorganisms. |
| 4 | Concurrent with dusting, check equipment, arrange furniture as per the operating tea requirement, and restock supplies. Ensure air conditioning, light and power supply are adequate. Check proper functioning, lighting and power supply are adequate. Check proper functioning of operating table, accessories, lights and cautery machine. Connect and check suction apparatus to electric source and check central suction equipment, the electrosurgical unit, and other pieces Of equipment in the operating room whether or not they are to be used. Ensure that the kick buckets /waste disposal container are lined with plastic bags. Check the supply cabinets for stock, if necessary. Check the scrub area for hand wash supplies and working pedal flow or taps. | Ensure favorable working environment for an uninterrupted surgical procedure. |
| 5 | Wet vacuum the floor using a disinfectant prescribed by local policy. | |
| 6 | Discuss with the scrub the sterile supplies needed for the case and then bring the supplies into the room. The surgeon’s preference card will list the types and size of sutures needed for the procedure. Follow the common arrangement of sterile supplies | Proper arrangement ensure the maintenance of sterile field and helps in easy handling of articles |
| 7 | Scrub nurse Chech the operating room schedule for the day.Perform medical hand washing, don cap and mask (it is only after ensuring the proper arrangement of the OR that the scrub nurse should go for surgical hand washing and don the scrub suit to perform other duties) Obtain the surgeon’s preference card and check the suture that is required for each case. Ensure and countercheck with the circulatory nurse that the overall arrangement is in accordance with the procedure to be performed by the operating team. | A coordinated involvement with the circulatory nurse and countercheck of the arrangement ensures a proper working environment. |
| 8 | Receive patient from control desk or reception to operating room |
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwers, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
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