Surgical gown donning

How do you maintain patient and staff safety in the operating room (OR)? In addition to other personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face shields and isolation gowns, surgical gowns protect both the patient and OR personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, bodily fluids, and particulate material. PPE and surgical gowns are regular parts of standard patient and staff safety protocols, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater need suddenly emerged and made the importance of proper protection clearer than ever.

Why don a surgical gown

Surgical gowning procedures are critical to successful and safe surgical procedures. Applying aseptic technique in donning – or wearing – a surgical gown is central to patient and OR staff safety in surgery.

Surgical gowns:

• Protect staff from transfer of microorganisms, bodily fluids, and particulate material
• Maintain the sterile operating area
• Help prevent infections of the surgical wound

Improving patient and staff safety and outcomes

Patient and OR staff safety in the surgical environment depends on many factors, but maintaining an aseptic environment is critical to improving patient and staff safety in the OR. Patient safety equipment, such as surgical gowns and gloves, make up the tools healthcare professionals use in the OR to support aseptic practice. The aseptic technique consists of a set of processes and steps that help minimise the risk of introducing pathogens into a sterile OR and are part of overall patient safety protocols that surgical teams follow.

And even in non-theatre situations, protective equipment can be important for healthcare professionals. When the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly struck, PPE like FFP face masks and face shields became critical. Even though surgical procedures were cancelled in most countries, non-sterile PPE protected wearers from contamination.

Minimising risk of surgical site infections (SSIs)

Use of personal protective equipment and adherence to aseptic practice is critical to minimising the risk of contamination that can lead to complications, such as surgical site infections (SSIs). Surgical gowns are one such form of protection. Patient outcomes are not sufficient, and patients need additional treatment when they contract SSIs.

Surgical gowns as OR staff and patient safety equipment

Surgical gowns provide protection for both OR staff and patients. Gowns act as a barrier against microbial transmission, and with a physical barrier in place, it is less likely that microorganisms will transfer between patients and staff. Surgical gowns also help minimise the shedding of skin cells and other contaminants, reducing the risk further.

Safety first: Being prepared with gowns and appropriate PPE

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, hospitals and healthcare organisations suddenly required an unprecedented amount of protective equipment, such as FFP masks, face shields, and standard surgical gowns as well as isolation gowns. Most hospital facilities faced shortages, prompting many healthcare organisations (and even governments) to include additional PPE supply to be able to meet future health crises safely.

Mölnlycke was one of the few suppliers who could support the need for high-quality PPE devices and face masks from the beginning to the end of the pandemic, recognising even before the pandemic that being prepared is one key element of prevention and protection. Making sure you have enough of the right PPE on hand to protect patients and staff is step one to maintaining safety and supporting a culture of safety

How to maintain patient safety: Preparing for aseptic gown donning

Before putting on a surgical gown, full aseptic preparation process takes place to maintain the sterility of the OR environment.

Surgical gown donning