2. Guidelines

2.1 Urgent obstetric cases, ruptured aneurysms and major trauma, constitute, perhaps, the most clear cut indication for opening a second room.

2.2 Any situation which results in a queue of emergency cases so as to involve an unreasonable delay before an otherwise adequately prepared patient can be operated on, demands that a second room be opened.

2.3 Any case, which is known to be likely to occupy the operating room for a period in excess of say, four (4) hours, justifies the opening of a second room for other emergencies.

2.4 Other reasons for opening a second room as soon as possible would include intra-abdominal or intracranial bleeding, known ruptured viscera or threatened limbs due to vascular occlusion. No caesarean section should have to wait more than one (1) hour and many would certainly need to be done sooner.

2.5 It is impossible to list all those conditions which would justify using a second operating room and hence, it will be necessary for each consultant anaesthetist to use judgement in the matter.