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Movement of personnel and wound contamination
Abstract:
We studied the association between the movement of operating room personnel and bacterial contamination of the operative field during 12 clean operations. Settle plates placed on the patient's chest and instrument table were exposed during the operation. As a control, settle plates were exposed in the same locations when no personnel and patients were in the room. Bacterial contamination of the aseptic field was categorized as disseminating (Group A: greater than 42 combined movements) and nondisseminating (Group B: less than 42 combined movements). There were 24 persons in each group. There was a highly significant difference between the two groups in the colony counts on settling plates. More vigorous movement was associated with increased bacterial contamination of the operative field. Low bacterial colony counts were found in the control plates, ruling out environmental sources of contamination. Bacterial fallout correlated with the movement of personnel. Measures to reduce excessive movement in the OR are recommended.
Insights
Operating room personnel movement significantly increases bacterial contamination in the operative field. Reducing excessive movement is crucial for maintaining aseptic conditions and preventing surgical site infections.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Infection Prevention
- Microbiology
- Operating Room Management
Background:
- Maintaining an aseptic environment in the operating room (OR) is critical for preventing surgical site infections.
- Bacterial contamination of the operative field can originate from various sources, including personnel movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the movement of operating room personnel and bacterial contamination of the operative field.
- To quantify the impact of personnel movement on bacterial dissemination during clean surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 12 clean operations.
- Settle plates were used to assess bacterial contamination on the patient's chest and instrument table.
- Personnel movement was categorized, and bacterial colony counts were compared between groups with high and low movement.
Main Results:
- A highly significant difference in bacterial colony counts was observed between groups with high (Group A: >42 movements) and low (Group B: <42 movements) personnel activity.
- Increased bacterial contamination of the operative field directly correlated with more vigorous personnel movement.
- Control plates exposed in an empty OR showed minimal bacterial counts, excluding environmental sources.
Conclusions:
- Excessive movement of operating room personnel is a significant contributor to bacterial contamination of the operative field.
- Implementing measures to reduce unnecessary movement in the OR is recommended to enhance aseptic techniques.
- This study highlights the importance of personnel behavior in infection control during surgery.