Here are the humidity guidelines for operating rooms (ORs), based on the latest recommended practices.

The provides evidence-based guidelines for maintaining humidity in the surgical environment to ensure patient safety and the integrity of sterile supplies. Current Humidity Standards

Note: Check your facility’s policy – some state health departments or accreditors (e.g., TJC, DNV) may still require 30–60% or 35–60%. In such cases, the stricter standard applies.

The sets standard clinical parameters to optimize patient outcomes and maintain environmental safety within surgical spaces. Among these environmental parameters, managing relative humidity (RH) is critical for infection control, equipment functionality, and structural safety.

Historically, healthcare standards mandated a minimum threshold of 30% or 35% relative humidity inside the surgical suite. However, changes implemented by standard-setting organizations shifted the mandatory floor downward.