Which surfaces qualify as high-touch areas in the OR that require frequent cleaning between cases?

• A. Surfaces like door handles, light switches, IV poles are high-touch areas.
• B. Ceiling tiles.
• C. Floors near the wall.
• D. Window frames.

Answer: (B)

High-touch surfaces are those that are touched frequently by hands during patient care and by many staff, so they’re disinfected between cases to prevent cross-contamination. In the OR, door handles, light switches, and IV poles are classic high-touch surfaces because they are repeatedly touched when entering/exiting rooms, adjusting equipment, or helping the patient. Ceiling tiles, floors near the wall, and window frames aren’t routinely handled during care; they’re cleaned as part of overall room cleaning but not as frequent, targeted high-touch disinfection between cases. So the surfaces that qualify as high-touch and require frequent cleaning between cases are the door handles, light switches, and IV poles.