June 20, 2022 admin

Is reuse of surgical drapes safe?

Surgical drapes prevent the surgical site infections:

Surgical site infection is one of the most common complications of any operation, particularly in orthopaedics, where a prosthesis infection can be fatal. The most common nosocomial infection is surgical site infection, which accounts for around 22% of all nosocomial infections. According to CDC statistics from 2014, surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 157,000 occurrences per year. According to the most current estimates, SSIs raise in-hospital expenditures by more than $20,000 and extend patients’ hospital stays by 7.3 days. SSIs cause 3,251 fatalities per year and contribute to a total of 9,726 deaths. As a result, there has been a concerted effort to lower the incidence of SSI. Following a stringent aseptic procedure is one excellent technique for preventing SSI. Drapes and a suitable surgical gown, which operate as an active barrier for microbial contamination of the surgical site, play an important role in SSI prevention.

While disposable gowns and drapes are utilised in approximately 90% of operations in the United States, reusable textiles account for half of the materials used in surgical procedures in Europe. This has led to a study comparing the two techniques, not only in terms of the patient’s protection against SSI, but also in terms of the comfort of health care staff, healthcare economics, and the environmental life cycle. A surgical gown has two major functions: it reduces the spread of skin bacteria among healthcare workers and it protects them from the patient’s blood-borne diseases. Even if the gown gets wet with blood, sweat, or fluid, the protection should be reliable and maintained throughout the procedure. Bacterial strike-through is influenced by the material utilised, the amount of fluid exposed, and the amount of pressure exerted.

Reusable versus disposable surgical drapes:

Reusable materials are often made out of tightly-woven textiles and/or knitted cotton or other fabrics that have been treated chemically or mixed with polyester. After numerous cycles of processing and treatment, the protection and durability of reusable items deteriorate. When reusable drapes get wet, the barrier protection they provide is weakened during the surgical operation. As a result, the numerous or single-use fabrics used for drapes in a surgical operation must resist liquid penetration. Non-woven textiles manufactured from various types of polymers, potentially coupled with chemical treatment, are typically used in disposable surgical cloths. Because disposable surgical drapes play such an important role in reducing/eliminating Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), it’s vital to do a comprehensive risk analysis to determine their applicability for each surgery. Strikethrough resistance is provided by Disposable Drape designs when fluids are splashed or sprayed on the fabric. Additionally, they are lint-free and scratch-resistant. Disposable surgical drapes adhere to the skin or wound margins consistently and reliably, especially during vigorous retraction and irrigation, and function as a barrier to pathogens on the skin. Because barrier effectiveness is a key aspect of infection prevention, a fluid control feature not only minimises the risk of infection but also keeps the patient dry, which can assist cut down on turnaround time between treatments. Disposable Drapes include built-in pockets that help collect bodily fluids like blood, and they’re simple to clean and throw off.

Disposable garments offered by IMAEC:

Coveralls, isolation gowns, surgical gowns, wraparounds, and sheets are among the disposable garments offered by IMAEC MEDNTEK. Our Safemode and B-Blue disposable clothes are made of a light, soft, anti-static material that offers great protection against liquids, particles, and germs. Our speciality is providing high-quality personal protection equipment to healthcare and hospital personnel. You may go through our whole range of medical gowns, which are available in a variety of designs and materials, to discover the right fit for your facility. By preventing contamination, our medical gowns strive to keep users safe from infectious illnesses, bloodborne pathogens, and potentially harmful chemicals. For the protection of healthcare professionals, IMAEC MEDNTEK now provides sterile surgical and examination gloves made of natural latex.

Reference:

Disposable vs reusable gowns: A battle for infection control and sustainability. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.healio.com/news/orthopedics/20140911/j205_3409_14_news_print_3

Kieser, D. C., Wyatt, M. C., Beswick, A., Kunutsor, S., & Hooper, G. J. (2018). Does the type of surgical drape (disposable versus non-disposable) affect the risk of subsequent surgical site infection? Journal of Orthopaedics, 15(2), 566–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2018.05.015

Summary of a systematic review on drapes and gowns. (2018). In Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. World Health Organization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536409/