A project requires that the WAGD system be taken out of service. Which department is likely most affected by this outage?

The correct answer highlights the significant role that the WAGD (Waste Anesthesia Gas Disposal) system plays in maintaining a safe surgical environment. This system is essential in operating rooms, as it ensures the effective removal of waste anesthesia gases from the air during procedures.

When the WAGD system is taken out of service, the surgery department is directly impacted because the removal of these gases is crucial for patient safety and the well-being of surgical staff. An operational WAGD system is necessary to minimize exposure to potentially harmful waste gases, which can pose health risks. In surgery, staff and patients are in close proximity to the system, making its functionality vital for a safe surgical atmosphere.

The other departments, while they may also be affected by the outage to some extent, do not rely on the WAGD system in the same direct capacity as surgery does. Plant operations and clinical engineering might handle maintenance or overall facility operations, while sterile processing focuses on instrument sterilization and may not experience immediate operational impacts from the WAGD system being out of service. Therefore, the surgery department's dependency on this system for safe operation makes it the most affected.