The location and flow of patients, staff and various equipment decides the OT complex to be divided into different zones. These zoning are based on the need of variable level of cleanliness and sterility.
Conventionally, the OT complex has been divided into four zones:
1. Protective Zone: It is the outermost entry/exit zone of the OT complex. It includes:
(a) Changing rooms for OT staff (doctors, nursing staff and other support staff).
(b) Patient’s waiting area and reception
(c) Rooms for administrative Staff
(d) Stores and records room.
(e) Receiving area for various materials and equipment
2. Clean zone: It connects protective zone to aseptic zone. It includes:
(a) Pre-operating room
(b) Recovery room
(c) Store room for sterile equipment and consumables.
3. Sterile/Aseptic zone: It includes operation rooms which are kept sterile. This zone includes:
(a) Operating room/suite in particular
(b) Scrubbing station/ room and gowning area/ room.
(c) Pre-Anaesthesia room
(d) Sterile Instruments trolley area.
4. Disposal Zone: Areas in this zone include dirty utility and disposal corridor. Disposal areas from operating room and connecting corridors leads to Disposal zone. The connecting corridors are outside the aseptic zone.
