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Good Friday to all my IP colleagues,

I'm in need of a circle of support on the topic of food & drink in semi-restricted & restricted areas, e.g., perioperative setting.

AORN guidance & OSHA regulations should be good enough:

1. Food and drink must not be taken into the semi-restricted or restricted areas of the perioperative suite.  (AORN)

2. Food and drink must not be kept in refrigerators, freezers or cabinets or on shelves, countertops or workspaces where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present. (AORN & Oregon OSHA 1910.1030)

The Ask:

Could you please share the language in your facility policy regarding food & drink in semi-restricted & restricted areas? and/or share how your facility handles requests from providers to eat/drink while they are in dictation area of semi-restricted / restricted area(s).

My meeting is on Monday...I appreciate those of you who can respond!!!!

Hey Lori!

In our 'Beverage Areas in Patient Care Setting' policy, we have the following language:

"Covered drinking containers will be allowed in areas where there is a reasonable likelihood that contamination with blood and bloody fluids will not occur and where clean supplies will not be compromised. 

1. In no case is food or drink allowed in any of the following areas:

◦ Registration desks/areas (food)
◦ Clean or dirty utility rooms
◦ Medication preparation areas
◦ Clean and sterile supply storage areas
◦ Lab specimen collection, processing or storage areas
◦ Direct patient care areas
◦ Chart racks or chart boxes
◦ Decontamination areas
◦ Sterile processing areas
◦ Surgical and procedure rooms"

Hope this helps!