A study on infection-prone areas of operating gowns

Abstract

There are various recommendations about keeping operating gowns sterile, but the validity of these recommendations has not been definitively established. The purpose of this study was to use bacterial cultures to identify which areas of operating gowns are vulnerable to infection and which are safe against infection, as well as to find ways to improve bacterial identification and to prevent contamination. There were statistically significant differences according to operation length, as follows: F1 (F=10.509, p<.000); F6 F=3.947, p=.021); B1 (t=3.495, p<.001); and B4 (F=3.363 p=.037). Based on 2009’s results, when assisting with putting on OR gowns, we wore sterile gloves, sterile vests, and helmet-shaped hats which cover the entire head area to prevent rear area infections. Also, we performed bacterial identification immediately after finishing operations in 2010. The results showed that in this study, the areas of F1 (t=2.133, p=.034), F4 (t=2.341, p=.020), B1(t=3.495, p=.001), and B3 (t=2.315, p=.022), exhibited significant differences in bacterial identification according to year. © Research India Publications.