Damp dusting in theatre should be performed at which time?

• A. Midday
• B. End of day
• C. Before every case
• D. Start of the day

Answer: (D)

Damp dusting is about removing dust and any dust-bound contaminants from theatre surfaces before procedures begin, using moisture to trap particles rather than dispersing them into the air. Doing this at the start of the day establishes a clean baseline so the first case runs in a ready, low-contamination environment. It minimizes the chance that dust from overnight or setup activities enters the sterile field as equipment is moved and cases start. Moisture handling makes the cleaning more effective than dry dusting, reducing airborne dispersion of particulates. Midday cleaning can interrupt ongoing work, and end-of-day cleaning is more about closing down and preparing for the next day rather than ensuring readiness for the current day’s cases. So starting the day with damp dusting best achieves a clean, safe theatre for the first procedure.