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Bacterial strike-through of re-usable surgical drapes: the effect of different wetting agents

A W Blom1, C Gozzard, J Heal

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bristol, UK.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|October 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Reusable surgical drapes can transfer bacteria, leading to wound contamination and infection. Wetting these drapes with blood or saline significantly increases bacterial strike-through, posing a surgical risk.

Area of Science:

  • Surgical Infection Prevention
  • Microbiology
  • Textile Science

Background:

  • Postoperative wound contamination and infection remain significant surgical challenges.
  • Potential sources of bacterial contamination include air, gloves, instruments, and surgical drapes.
  • Reusable textiles are commonly used in surgical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of various wetting agents on bacterial penetration through reusable polyester/cotton surgical drapes.
  • To assess the risk of wound contamination from surgical drapes under different conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A novel method was employed to quantify bacterial strike-through.
  • Reusable polyester/cotton surgical drapes were tested.
  • Drapes were wetted with different agents including blood, normal saline, iodine, and chlorhexidine.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial strike-through was observed through dry surgical drapes within 30 minutes.
  • Wetting drapes with blood or normal saline markedly increased bacterial strike-through rates.
  • Iodine and chlorhexidine reduced, but did not eliminate, bacterial strike-through.

Conclusions:

  • Reusable polyester/cotton surgical drapes can act as a conduit for bacterial contamination.
  • The risk is amplified when drapes are contaminated with blood or saline.
  • Antimicrobial wetting agents offer partial protection but do not fully prevent bacterial penetration.

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