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Hi fabulous IPs!

Topic of day is animals in perioperative area. Please share your 'animals in healthcare policy'. 

Your expertise and resources are much appreciated!

Hi Lori, we don't allow animals in AORN defined "restricted areas". In other words, even service animals can't go behind the red line onto the OR attire zone. That applies to procedural spaces as well. 

There's a section in the ADA about service animals that says something to the effect of " IF a Service or Assistance animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or would fundamentally alters the nature of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations you provide then they can be restricted. We believe letting them behind the red line meets those criteria, we also don't allow them into protective environments for immunocompromised patients