Which of the following is included in the terminal cleaning process conducted after scheduled cases?

The correct choice involves the cleaning of anesthesia carts and equipment, which is an essential component of the terminal cleaning process after scheduled cases. This process is critical for ensuring patient safety and maintaining the overall hygiene and functionality of the surgical environment.

During terminal cleaning, all surfaces and equipment that may have come into contact with the surgical field are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Anesthesia carts and their equipment often hold a variety of tools and items used in procedures, making them potential areas for contamination. By properly cleaning these carts and equipment, the risk of infection and cross-contamination between patients is significantly reduced.

While changing bed linens, inspecting surgical instruments, and disposing of sharps containers are all important practices within the perioperative environment, each of these serve a slightly different purpose. Changing bed linens is part of patient room preparation but does not directly pertain to the instruments and equipment that might harbor pathogens. Inspecting surgical instruments focuses more on functionality and readiness for future procedures rather than cleaning processes. Disposing of sharps containers is necessary for safety, but it is more about waste management than cleaning surfaces to eliminate contaminants.

Thus, the attention given to cleaning anesthesia carts and equipment highlights the importance of thorough disinfection in direct relation to patient safety and infection control in the peri