Choosing the optimal surgical gown for each type of surgical procedure is complex. Many aspects including hygienic requirements, wearing comfort, and cost-effectiveness have to be considered, so as to optimise infection control. Recent studies show that disposable surgical gowns could offer better protection during high-risk surgeries.
Prof. Dr. Ojan Assadian, President of the Austrian Society for Hospital Hygiene (ÖGKH) and Medical Director at the State Hospital Neunkirchen, was co-author of an expert opinion paper of the "Initiative Sicherheit im OP" (SIOP) on infection prevention in hip and knee endoprosthetics. In an interview, he provides insights into the most important points of the paper.
Along with hygienic hand disinfection, medical gloves are an essential measure for infection control – if used correctly. Hygiene expert Dr Günter Kampf explains when and why gloves should be worn.
Few people have recognised the medical necessity of hand hygiene the way Professor Didier Pittet has for more than a quarter-century. Pittet serves as the director of the Infection Control Programme at the University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety); in addition, he is the lead adviser of the WHO’s First Global Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Safer Care. As a global authority in role of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), he gives us an overview of how hand hygiene makes a life-saving difference.
Science has proved the benefits of hand hygiene; however, in clinical routine, compliance with hygiene protocols often lacks. In a 2019 publication , the Geneva-based “Infection Prevention and Control” (IPC) think tank headed by Didier Pittet identifies implementation skills training as the most important element in teaching hygiene practices.
Every year more than half a million patients in Europe suffer surgical site infections (SSIs). Wearing two layers of surgical gloves, called double gloving, can reduce the risk of SSI and protects patients as well as healthcare staff. If damage to the top surgical glove occurs, an underglove provides a second barrier to contamination. But are two gloves really better than one? We look at the results of relevant studies.
The problem of retained surgical materials after surgery can have severe consequences both for patients and entire medical teams. Evidence-based policies and close monitoring, along with a seamless and clear communication, are essential to enhance patient safety.
Do good and talk about it: In her “Hygiene Communication Concept”, Claudia James, hygiene-specialist and managing director at HyTrain GmbH, explains how communication can improve hand hygiene compliance of physicians and nursing staff. By voicing hand disinfection staff shapes own hygiene behaviour and at the same time gives patients valuable insights into possibilities to participate in their own healing process. In our interview, the expert describes the background to her findings and gives specific instructions for putting these into practice.
