In efforts to increase greater awareness about safe surgical attire, AORN has updated its Recommended Practices for Surgical Attire. The updates are based on new evidence showing a link between surgical attire and the potential for infection. The updated recommendations, which will be released later this month, address the following issues:
• Quality assurance monitoring of laundering processes
• Characteristics of safe surgical attire fabrics, including recommendations that fabrics should be tightly woven, stain resistant and durable, and that 100% cotton fleece should not be worn
• Safe footwear
• How, where and when jewelry can be worn
• Regular and appropriate cleaning of stethoscopes and ID badges
• New recommendation that fanny packs, brief cases and backpacks should not be taken into semi-restricted or restricted areas
• Updated information on disposable and reusable head coverings
Read the AORN Connections report about its updated Recommended Practices for Surgical Attire.
Read other coverage about infection control:
– 3 Tricks to Help Your Staff Keep Your ASC Free of Infections
– Case Study: 6 Practices for Improved Infection Control at Central Illinois Endoscopy Center
– 10 Steps to Achieve Excellent Compliance to infection Control Regulations
