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Reducing blood exposures during orthopedic surgical procedures
A Folin1, B Nyberg, G Nordström
1Surgery Department, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
AORN Journal
|March 29, 2000
Summary
Surgical teams can reduce blood exposure risks for staff and patients. Implementing new techniques like the no-touch instrument passing and neutral zone minimizes injuries and pathogen transmission during procedures.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Safety
- Infection Control
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Surgical personnel face constant blood exposure during operations.
- Inadvertent injuries and contamination pose risks of bloodborne pathogen transmission to both staff and patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of new working methods in reducing surgical team exposure to blood.
- To identify strategies for minimizing sharps injuries and blood contamination in the operating room.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of the no-touch instrument passing technique.
- Implementation of the instrument neutral zone.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in injuries and contaminations for scrub persons and first assistants.
- Enhanced safety for surgical team members through modified work practices.
Conclusions:
- The no-touch instrument passing technique and instrument neutral zone are effective in reducing blood exposure risks.
- Adoption of these new working methods can significantly improve surgical safety and prevent bloodborne pathogen transmission.