Unrestricted zone
The unrestricted zone includes entrance and exit sites for personnel, patients, materials, and equipment into and out of semi-restricted zones. It also provides a pathway to support areas.
Street clothes are permitted in this area and traffic flow is more liberal, although it is monitored to prevent individuals from inadvertently entering the semi-restricted or unrestricted area without proper attire.
Specific heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) parameters are required for this area. Temperatures in this area should be between 68° F – 75° F (20° C – 24° C). Humidity ranges between 20% – 60% depending on the function performed in the specific area. Air exchanges in this area are dependent on the functions that are performed but range from 6 to 15 exchanges with 2 to 3 outdoor air exchanges per hour.
Note: Temperature and humidity requirements may vary depending on the parameters that were applicable when the HVAC system was designed or on the most recent renovation of the system.
Depending on the physical layout of the suite, areas such as the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), preoperative holding area, locker rooms, break rooms, offices, family waiting areas, laboratory, blood bank, and pathology lab may be found in this zone.
Semi-restricted zone
This area includes peripheral support areas, storage areas for clean and sterile supplies, scrub sink areas, work areas for processing instruments, and access corridors that provide entrance into the restricted zone.
Surgical attire consisting of head and body covering is required in this area. All head and facial hair should be covered. Access to this area is usually restricted to authorized personnel and patients who are accompanied by authorized personnel. This area is entered directly from unrestricted areas.
Specific HVAC parameters are required for this area. The temperature and humidity in this area is dependent on the specific use of the area but are generally between 72° F – 78° F (22° C – 26° C) with a maximum humidity of 60%. Air exchanges in this area are dependent on the functions that are performed but range from 4 to 10 exchanges with 2 outdoor air exchanges per hour.
Note: Temperature and humidity requirements may vary depending on the parameters that were applicable when the HVAC system was designed or on the most recent renovation of the system.
Inside the semi-restricted area, traffic patterns should prevent the mixing of clean, sterile, and dirty items. Traffic flow, which is based on the principles of asepsis, should be unidirectional if possible (ie, clean to dirty).