Covering surgical instruments with single- or double-layer drape pending surgery: an experimental study in a...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Infection Prevention
• Microbiology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Surgical site infections (SSI) pose a significant risk to patients undergoing surgery.
• Maintaining a sterile surgical environment is critical to prevent microbial contamination.
• Sterile surgical instruments are essential for quality perioperative care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare bacterial contamination levels on surgical instrument tables draped with single-layer versus double-layer covers.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of different drape layers in preventing microbial contamination of instruments.

Main Methods:

• An experimental design was employed using 76 set surgical instrument tables.
• Agar plates were placed on tables covered with either single-layer (n=4) or double-layer (n=4) drapes.
• Uncovered instrument tables served as controls (n=4).

Main Results:

• Double-layer drapes resulted in significantly lower colony-forming units (CFU) per agar plate (P=0.03) compared to single-layer drapes.
• Uncovered instrument tables exhibited substantial bacterial contamination, as anticipated.
• The study demonstrated a clear reduction in microbial load with double-layer draping.

Conclusions:

• Covering surgical instruments with at least a single-layer drape is recommended practice.
• Utilizing a double-layer drape is a superior method for reducing microbial contamination, especially when instrument tables must be set up in advance.
• Implementing these draping strategies can lower the microbiological burden, thereby reducing the risk of SSI and protecting patients.