[Infection control and prevention in the operating theater]

Area of Science:

• Infection control in healthcare settings
• Microbiology of surgical site infections (SSIs)

Context:

• Environmental surfaces in operating rooms are seldom identified as primary sources of pathogens causing SSIs.
• Standard practice includes routine cleaning of operating room surfaces post-operation to maintain a sterile environment.
• Current evidence does not support routine disinfection of surfaces or equipment between procedures unless contamination or soiling is evident.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the necessity of routine disinfection of environmental surfaces in operating rooms.
• To clarify the role of preoperative antiseptic measures in reducing surgical site infections.
• To review current strategies for preventing microbial contamination during surgical procedures.

Summary:

• Environmental surfaces in operating rooms are infrequently linked to surgical site infections (SSIs).
• Routine cleaning of operating room surfaces is recommended after each procedure.
• Disinfection of surfaces or equipment between operations is not supported by data unless visible soiling or contamination occurs.
• Hospital disinfectants should be used for visible soiling during an operation.
• Preoperative antiseptic showers reduce skin microbial counts but have not been definitively shown to decrease SSI rates.
• SSI prevention involves multiple strategies targeting microbial contamination and patient factors.

Impact:

• Informs guidelines on operating room hygiene and disinfection protocols.
• Highlights the importance of targeted disinfection based on visible contamination rather than routine application.
• Emphasizes a multifactorial approach to surgical site infection prevention, considering both environmental and patient-specific factors.