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Operating Rooms / Suites - Equipment Availability

Please clarify what is meant by 'operating room suites' and the equipment requirements found at PC.02.01.11 EP 5.

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

The terms 'room' and 'suite' are sometimes used interchangeably. Therefore, compliance will be evaluated based on the availability of the following equipment to areas in which operative procedures are performed. When evaluating equipment inventory requirements and location, organizations are encouraged to consider the procedures performed, population served, physical layout, resources available to retrieve equipment, hours of operation (scheduled and emergencies), etc. 

At a minimum, operating room suites have the following equipment available:
  • Call-in system:  A process to summon or communicate with staff outside of the operating room when needed
  • Cardiac monitor
  • Resuscitator: A hand-held or mechanical device that provides positive airway pressure
  • Defibrillator
  • Aspirator: A hand-held or mechanical device used to suction out fluids or secretions
  • Tracheotomy set: Disposable or non-disposable as determined by the organization
Verify that all equipment is working and, as applicable, in compliance with the hospital's equipment management program for inspection, testing, and maintenance of medical equipment.

The requirement applies to Hospitals that use accreditation for deemed status purposes and Rehabilitation and Psychiatric Distinct Part Units (DPU) in Critical Access Hospitals. 
Manual: Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter: Provision of Care Treatment and Services PC
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: July 19, 2022 Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: September 13, 2018 This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on July 19, 2022 with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. | Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. | Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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