What is the purpose of sterile surgical clothing?

The purpose of sterile surgical clothing is to create and maintain a sterile field during surgical procedures, which helps prevent surgical site infections. Surgical site infections can delay healing, increase morbidity and mortality, and add significant cost to healthcare systems.

Key points regarding sterile surgical clothing:

Surgical attire:

Sterile surgical clothing includes attire such as surgical gowns, gloves, masks, and drapes.

These items are sterilized to eliminate microorganisms, reducing the risk of introducing contaminants into the surgical site.

Surgical gowns:

Surgical gowns are designed to cover the surgeon and surgical team members' entire bodies, excluding their hands and faces.

Gowns are typically made of non-woven materials that provide a barrier against fluid penetration.

They are typically fastened at the back and have long sleeves with adjustable cuffs.

Surgical gloves:

Surgical gloves are designed to protect the hands of the surgical team from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.

They are made of thin, flexible materials that allow for dexterity and tactile sensitivity while maintaining a barrier against microorganisms.

Gloves are typically sterile, powder-free, and come in various sizes to ensure a proper fit.

Surgical masks:

Surgical masks are worn to cover the nose and mouth of the surgical team to prevent the transmission of respiratory droplets and contaminants from the surgical team to the surgical site.

Masks are typically made of a non-woven fabric with an adjustable nose piece for a secure fit.

Surgical drapes:

Surgical drapes are placed around the surgical site to create a sterile boundary and prevent contamination from the surrounding environment.

Drapes are made of impermeable materials to prevent fluid penetration and are typically fastened with adhesive strips or clips.

Sterilization processes:

Sterilization of surgical clothing and drapes is achieved through various methods, such as steam sterilization, ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization, or low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization.

Different methods have their own advantages, disadvantages, and specific guidelines for their use.

Adherence to sterile technique:

Proper donning and doffing (removal) of sterile surgical clothing are crucial to maintaining a sterile field.

Surgical team members follow specific protocols for hand hygiene, gowning, and gloving to minimize the risk of contamination.

By using sterile surgical clothing and adhering to strict sterile techniques, healthcare professionals aim to reduce the risk of surgical site infections and improve patient outcomes.