Importance of hospital regulations and management for surgical blocks in Honduras

Abstract

A hospital is a facility designed to provide medical care to patients, ranging from diagnosis to surgical procedures. Such a facility comprises various units that must provide the services necessary for its operation. The surgical block (SB) is a vital area within a hospital; it is where surgical procedures are performed and where support areas are grouped together in accordance with the facilities and equipment required for its operation. According to the Honduran Ministry of Health, approximately 100 surgeries are performed each week at the Leonardo Martínez Hospital in San Pedro Sula. One of the most critical risks within the SB is exposure to nosocomial infections—diseases contracted within the hospital that are generally characterized by high resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants. In addition to nosocomial infections, there is a risk from explosive gases such as oxygen, which goes hand in hand with the electrical risk posed by the use of equipment.