Can non-surgical items be stored in the surgical suite?

The surgical suite in a veterinary facility is designed specifically for surgical procedures and must maintain a sterile environment to ensure patient safety and prevent infections. Because of this critical requirement, the presence of non-surgical items in this space is highly restricted. Non-surgical items, which may include everyday tools, equipment, and supplies that have not been sterilized, can introduce contaminants that compromise the sterility of the surgical area.

When the sterile field is breached by these items, it increases the risk of surgical site infections and can lead to complications during and after procedures. Therefore, best practices in veterinary medicine dictate that non-surgical items should not be stored or left in the surgical suite unless they are critical for the procedure at hand and have been properly sterilized beforehand. Hence, the appropriate response is that non-surgical items cannot be stored in the surgical suite.