Perioperative hair removal: A review of best practice and a practice improvement opportunity

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Maureen Spencer1, Marsha Barnden2, Helen Boehm Johnson3

  • 11 51 Broad Reach M51A Weymouth, MA 02191; 781-775-7031.

Journal of Perioperative Practice
|May 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Clipping surgical patients' hair can spread infection. New vacuum clippers effectively remove hair, reducing infection risk and saving operating room time and costs.

Area of Science:

  • Surgical Patient Care
  • Infection Control
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Perioperative hair removal is standard practice to reduce surgical site infection risk.
  • Current methods for cleaning clipped hair, such as adhesive tape, are often ineffective and time-consuming.
  • Clipped hair fibers can harbor microorganisms, posing a potential infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of vacuum-assisted surgical clippers for perioperative hair removal.
  • To assess the impact of this new technology on infection risk mitigation.
  • To determine the potential for time and cost savings in the operating room.

Main Methods:

  • A study was conducted to evaluate surgical clippers equipped with a vacuum-assisted hair collection system.
  • The effectiveness of the vacuum system in collecting clipped hair was assessed.
  • The time required for clean-up and potential for cross-contamination were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Vacuum-assisted clippers significantly improve the clean-up process for perioperative hair removal.
  • This technology reduces the risk of infection associated with loose hair fibers.
  • Substantial savings in operating room time and associated costs were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Vacuum-assisted surgical clippers represent a significant advancement in perioperative hair management.
  • Implementing this technology can enhance patient safety by minimizing infection risks.
  • The system offers practical benefits, including improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in surgical settings.
Keywords:
Perioperative efficiencyPerioperative hair removalPerioperative infection controlPerioperative practice improvementVacuum-assisted hair collection

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