What types of infectious agents can be found in an operating room?

In the article entitled Reducing Surgical Site Infections: A Review, Reichman and Greenberg explain that bacterial, viral, and fungal contaminations pose risks to patient infections within operating rooms. The most common infectious microorganisms within operating rooms, that are mentioned in this article, are gram-positive cocci such as Staphylococcus, gram-negative E. coli, MRSA, and Bacillus fagilis.

Suzuki, Namba, Matsuura, and Horisawa wrote an article entitled Bacterial Contamination of Floors and Other Surfaces in Operating Rooms: A Five-Year Survey. In their study, the scientists found that the most common bacterial strands on such operating surfaces was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus.

This chart identifies common pathogens that pose risks for different surgical procedures done within operating rooms.

In lieu of such findings, it is advisable that all surfaces of an operating room are regularly cleaned with disinfectants, meticulous operating techniques are followed, and administration or application of antibiotics to the patient in a timely manner.