Intraoperative airborne bacterial contamination and covered sterile instrument tables: Is the standard two-drape method better than the single-drape method? Experimental study

Background

We purposed to assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of covering with the single-drape method versus the standard two-drape method recommended by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in reducing contamination of the prepared sterile instrument tables (PSITs) with airborne bacteria-carrying particles (ABCPs).

Methods

Six agar plates (n = 810) were used to measure the load of ABCPs on each PSIT both at rest (static period) and during a simulated surgical operation (dynamic period). At every time point, this arrangement was repeated two times during data collecting (81 PSITs were established in total). Experimental groups contained PSITs covered with the single-drape and the standard two-drape methods or no cover. We collected the plates after 60, 120, 180, 240 min, and 24 h.

Results

At all-time points, covering the PSITs during static and dynamic operating theater (OT) conditions led to a meaningfully reduced load of ABCPs on the PSITs (P < 0.05). Moreover, no differences were found between the recommended two-drape method by the AORN and the single-drape method (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Covering the PSITs during nonuse and active surgeries helps prevent the PSITs from becoming contaminated and thus can help decrease the incidence of surgical wound infection (SWI). Covering the PSITs with a sterile drape helps protect them from ABCPs that may be shed from the hair and skin of OT nurses (OTNs). Our study showed no priority for using the standard two-drape method compared with the single-drape method.