[Time for cleaning and room preparation: connection between surgery size and professional perspectives]

The objective was to verify the association between time needed for room cleaning (TLPS) and the surgery size, and related advantages and difficulties faced by the circulator of the room asszgned to this task. A mixed method, with a transverse quantitative, retrospective approach, using a sample of 3095 surgeries performed,from January to June 2011, and a qualitative approach using a Thematic Content Analysis of statements from 11 circulators, was used. The average TLPS was smaller in size 1 surgeries, increasing in sizes 2, 3 and 4, with a significant difference. Advantages reported included organization and size of staff and difficulties reported related to sharp, bladed materials mixed with surgical instruments and a reduced number of cleaning professionals. The larger the size, the higher the TLPS. Surgical teams operating in the Surgical Center interfere directly in the process, facilitating or hindering the achievement of institutional goals related to quality and productivity.