Protective Gear for Perioperative Staff

General Requirements for Protective Equipment

  • OSHA Standards: Protective eyewear and face shields are mandatory as per OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard to safeguard healthcare workers.
  • Physical Protection: Effective eyewear must include side shields for optimal safety during procedures.

Protective Eyewear and Face Shields

  • Usage: Required for perioperative personnel during procedures where splashes, sprays, or droplets of potentially infectious materials are present.
  • Guidelines:
    • Eyewear must cover the eyes adequately to prevent contamination from blood and body fluids.
    • Ordinary glasses do not satisfy the protective requirements.

Surgical Masks

  • Purpose: Worn to protect the surgical environment from contamination due to aerosol droplets from the mouth and nose, and to protect the wearer from blood and other infectious materials.
  • Fit and Usage:
    • Masks are essential in restricted areas of the operating room, especially when sterile supplies are open.
    • It is critical that the mask fits properly; improper fit may allow exhaled breath to escape, compromising its effectiveness.
    • Masks should never be worn around the neck to avoid transfer of pathogens to clothing.
  • Recommendations:
    • Use a clean mask for every procedure and replace if it becomes moist.
    • Masks should be tied correctly without crossing the ties to avoid gaps at the sides.
  • Regulatory Recommendations: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend mask usage when potentially infectious materials are present.

Nonsterile Cover Jackets

  • Description: Long-sleeved jackets made from similar materials to the rest of the nonsterile surgical attire to provide an additional barrier against contamination.
  • Guidelines:
    • These jackets should be cleaned and laundered according to set guidelines and should remain free of contamination.
    • Store jackets appropriately in lockers when not in use to prevent exposure to potentially infectious materials.

Summary of Guidelines from Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses

  • Ensures that perioperative personnel comply with standards in their use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Transmission-Based Precautions: Part of the PPE Standards to minimize the risk of infection during surgical procedures.