Surgical Head Coverings: A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Surgical Safety
• Microbiology

Background:

• Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant concern, with microorganisms originating from various sources including patient flora, healthcare personnel, and the environment.
• Understanding microbial shedding from skin and hair is crucial for preventing pathogen transmission in perioperative settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the scientific literature supporting the recommendation for perioperative personnel to cover heads, hair, and ears in semirestricted and restricted areas.
• To evaluate the evidence linking head coverings to the prevention of surgical site infections.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies.
• The search focused on articles concerning bacterial shedding, pathogenic organisms on hair and ears, and documented transmission events from healthcare providers to patients.

Main Results:

• The review identified 27 articles addressing bacterial shedding, pathogenic organisms, and transmission cases.
• No definitive evidence conclusively proves that head coverings prevent surgical site infections.

Conclusions:

• Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, the potential benefits of head coverings outweigh the risks.
• Perioperative team members should cover heads, hair, and ears in semirestricted and restricted areas to maximize patient protection against SSIs.