Examination of Hospital Policies Regarding Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Attire in the Operating Room

The purpose of this study was to examine operating room (OR) policies related to infection control and attire worn by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) and the attitudes of CRNAs toward these policies. A 20-question survey was distributed to a random sample of 3,000 members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The response rate was 26% (N = 790). Data collected were demographics, characteristics of OR attire protocols in surgical facilities, CRNA beliefs regarding infection control, and compliance with attire policies. Same-day/ambulatory surgery centers were less likely to have formal protocols on OR attire than were inpatient hospital ORs. More than half (53.2%) of CRNAs reported being "always" compliant with attire protocols, but only 39.1% strongly agreed that their coworkers are compliant. CRNAs working in inpatient hospital ORs were more likely to report their coworkers as noncompliant with attire protocols, although there was no significant difference in reported personal compliance among groups. Experienced CRNAs tend to be more compliant with attire protocols. Implications for practice include evidence-based standardization of attire policies and encouragement of CRNAs' participation in development of and compliance with policies to reduce surgical site infection rates.