Which area of the OR requires an OR hat, scrubs, and either designated shoes or shoe covers for entry?

• A. Restricted area
• B. Unrestricted area
• C. Semi-restricted area
• D. Contaminated area

Answer: (A)

Access control through attire is used to prevent contamination in the OR. The restricted area is the zone where sterile technique must be preserved, so entering this area requires donning an OR hat, scrubs, and either designated shoes or shoe covers. These requirements limit hair and skin particulates and prevent dirt or microbes from street footwear from reaching the sterile field, helping maintain a clean environment for procedures. Other zones have looser dress rules—unrestricted areas permit more general clothing, semi-restricted areas have some cover requirements but not the full sterile attire, and contaminated areas follow different PPE protocols—so the strict combination of hat, scrubs, and designated footwear specifically identifies the restricted area.