Operation theatre equipment list: what a modern OR needs, zone by zone

Operation theatre equipment list: the patient zone

The operating table is the centre of the room. Choose by procedure mix, patient weight, imaging compatibility and accessories. For example, the Lojer Scandia Prime is a modular electric table designed with day surgery in mind, with a sliding top, interchangeable sections and accessory rails, four programmable memory positions, motorised Trendelenburg of 30 degrees, a safe working load of 250 kg, and a height range of 595 to 1005 mm. See the operating table buying guide for selection criteria and the Lojer Scandia Prime page for details.

Surgical lights provide shadow-free illumination. The SIMEON Sim.LED 5000, as an example, offers 160,000 lx central illuminance at 1 m, adjustable colour temperature from 3,500 to 5,500 K in the MC version, a colour rendering index Ra of 96 and an Anti.BAC coated body. Specify illuminance, field size, dimming, colour rendering, heat and cleanability, and review operating room lighting requirements. See SIMEON Sim.LED 5000.

Ceiling services: pendants and booms

Ceiling pendants carry medical gas outlets, electrical sockets and monitors off the floor, so cables and hoses do not cross the working area. MZ Liberec's OK07 family covers rigid, rotary and height-adjustable models with arm lengths of 600 to 1000 mm and service heads for anaesthesia and surgery, with a holder for 32 to 60-inch displays for hybrid theatres. See MZ Liberec OK07 and our note on OK07 pendants.

Decide pendant numbers and positions early: one for the anaesthesia side and one for the surgical side is common, with a monitor boom or an additional arm for video. Ceiling structure, laminar flow and light suspension should be coordinated with the architect.

Surgical equipment: electrosurgery and energy

An electrosurgical generator is needed in almost every theatre. The BOWA ARC 400 combines monopolar and bipolar cutting, coagulation and vessel sealing in one unit for general, visceral, gynaecological, urological and cardiac surgery, with up to five instruments connected, 400 W monopolar and bipolar power, and RFID instrument recognition. See BOWA ARC 400 and electrosurgical unit uses.

Check what accessories and footswitches are included, neutral-electrode monitoring, and whether the generator can be upgraded, for example with an argon module.

Imaging, integration and instruments

List the equipment that is wheeled in: C-arm, laparoscopic tower, microscope, and ultrasound, and plan sockets, floor space and storage. Video integration needs ceiling or wall displays and recording, which must be decided with the pendant design.

Instruments and containers complete the room: instrument sets and sterilization containers, back tables, kick buckets, waste bins, mayo stands and storage. Add data and nurse call, clocks, scrub sinks and X-ray viewing as the design requires. Review the layout together with operating room design and layout.

Using the list for procurement

Turn the list into a specification with named models, quantities, power and gas requirements, and installation scope. Ask each supplier to confirm registration, service and training. Once equipment is delivered, use the theatre equipment checklist before the first case. Beckfinity distributes tables, lights, pendants and electrosurgical units from several manufacturers, and can prepare an itemised proposal for your theatre; request it through our contact page.