Surgery Cleaning: Operating Room Procedures & Best Practices

Topic Tags:

environmental cleaning, PPE, terminal cleaning

Operating rooms demand strict cleaning routines to prevent surgical site infections. This article outlines procedures for cleaning and disinfecting theatres before, between and after surgeries. Learn how to safeguard patients and staff by following evidence‑based protocols tailored to surgical environments.

Key Takeaways

Perform turnover cleaning between cases and terminal cleaning at the end of the day, focusing on tables, lights, equipment, floors and high‑touch surfaces.
Use surgical‑grade detergents, hospital‑grade disinfectants and follow “clean to dirty, high to low” sequences; allow recommended contact time for disinfectants to work.
Ensure staff training covers PPE, waste handling, sterile technique and documentation to maintain compliance with infection‑control standards.

Operating Room Cleaning Procedures: What’s Involved?

Routine cleaning of the operating room at the end of each surgical day is critical. The process includes:

Damp wiping all horizontal and contact surfaces (e.g., light switches, Pendulum lights, desks, ledges, skirtings, push plates, window sills)
Disinfecting high touch surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectants approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Changing mop heads and cloths between rooms to prevent cross-contamination
Using colour-coded cleaning tools to identify zones and eliminate risk

Infographic illustrating a colour-coded cleaning system for healthcare settings, showing blue for low-risk areas, green for food preparation, red for general washrooms, yellow for clinical areas, and red/white for sanitary appliances, aimed at preventing cross-contamination.

Understanding High Touch Points

When should the operating room be wiped? Ideally, this should occur:

Between each surgical case (especially on high-touch surfaces)
At the end of each day
Immediately after any visible contamination

Namoli’s accredited cleaners follow strict schedules and checklists aligned with Australian infection prevention guidelines and NSQHS standards, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

How Long Does It Take to Clean an Operating Room?

The time required varies depending on the procedure, room size, and contamination level. Typically:

Between cases: 10–15 minutes for turnover cleaning
End-of-day deep clean: 30–60 minutes for thorough disinfection

Namoli’s team is trained to perform these tasks efficiently without compromising hygiene or safety, helping your facility maintain seamless surgical workflows.

Disinfectants Used in Operating Theatres

Healthcare Theatre

Surgical settings demand clinically validated, broad-spectrum disinfectants capable of eliminating bloodborne pathogens, bacteria, and viruses. Namoli uses only TGA-approved solutions, tailored for different zones (e.g., prep areas, floors, equipment surfaces) and compatible with surgical-grade materials.

Our cleaners understand which products to use—and more importantly, how long they must dwell—to effectively kill pathogens without leaving harmful residues.

Learn more: When and Where to Use TGA-Approved Chemicals in Healthcare Cleaning

Why Specialist Cleaning Matters in Surgery

As highlighted by Namoli’s General Manager, Mike Liddle, “Each area in a surgical journey—from reception to recovery—requires a different cleaning process.” Unlike general commercial cleaners, we tailor every clean to the risk profile of the space, using: