Back to basics: surgical attire and cleanliness

Abstract

A clean perioperative environment is beneficial for both patients and perioperative team members, and surgical attire is the foundation of cleanliness. Perioperative personnel should adhere to general hygiene and wear clean, facility-laundered surgical attire in the health care facility. Implementing a surgical attire policy can be challenging because attire is linked to personal preference and image. There are ways to achieve compliance with attire recommendations as well as to implement an attire policy. To help ensure success, perioperative nurses should be prepared to help educate other team members and participate in monitoring and compliance efforts.

Keywords: cleanliness; hygiene; surgical attire; surgical site infection.