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Fluid contamination during orthopaedic procedures. A study of incidence, location, and prevention
Abstract:
Certain orthopaedic procedures may expose health care providers to contamination of scrub clothing, personal undergarments, and/or skin by patients' body fluids. The incidence and site of fluid contamination were studied for an orthopaedic surgeon and his assistant during 54 orthopaedic operations from March through May 1989. Contamination was recorded in 35 of the cases (65%) for the surgeon, and in 37 (69%) for the assistant. The sites of contamination spanned the length of the lower extremities, with an overall 34% incidence above the knee. The surgeon and assistant then monitored fluid contamination during 43 cases from March through May 1990 while wearing water-impervious surgical pants. An additional 16 clinicians also tested these pants and answered questions regarding their comfort and utility. No cases of fluid contamination were recorded during the second phase of the study. The garment was reported to be comfortable and did not appear to add a heat factor, even with the use of lead aprons during fluoroscopic procedures.
Insights
Orthopaedic surgeons face significant body fluid contamination risk during procedures. Wearing water-impervious surgical pants effectively eliminated contamination in a subsequent study, proving their utility and comfort for healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Infection Control
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Healthcare providers in orthopaedic surgery risk exposure to patient body fluids.
- Contamination of surgical attire and skin is a significant concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and location of fluid contamination during orthopaedic operations.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of water-impervious surgical pants in preventing contamination.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance of fluid contamination on surgeons and assistants during 54 operations.
- Testing of water-impervious surgical pants by surgeons and clinicians in 43 additional cases.
- Assessment of garment comfort and utility through clinician feedback.
Main Results:
- Initial study: 65% surgeon and 69% assistant contamination, with 34% above the knee.
- Second phase with impervious pants: zero contamination cases recorded.
- Clinicians reported the pants as comfortable and not excessively hot.
Conclusions:
- Standard surgical attire offers limited protection against fluid contamination in orthopaedics.
- Water-impervious surgical pants provide a highly effective barrier against body fluid contamination.
- The tested garment is a comfortable and practical solution for reducing exposure risk.
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