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Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are a serious problem in the medical community, accounting for millions of infections and deaths each year in every country. While there are many factors that can lead to HAIs, one way to help reduce the risk is by having health care workers wear appropriate clothing, such as scrubs or uniforms treated with an antimicrobial agent. One type of clothing that has shown success in preventing HAIs is OT dress (operating theatre) dress. OT dress refers to the clothing worn by staff in operating theatres. It typically includes a gown, cap, mask and gloves. It is a special type of clothing designed specifically for therapists who work with patients in rehabilitation or long-term care settings.
One of the most important things that OTs should do to prevent hospital acquired infections is to wear the proper dress. These dresses help to protect both the OT and the patient from coming into contact with harmful bacteria and other contaminants. OTs should always wear a clean OT uniform when working with patients.
IMPORTANCE OF SURGICAL ATTIRES IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
The main function of these attires is to provide a microorganism free environment while working on the patient. It is a crucial tool in the fight against hospital pathogens. These garments are designed to cover all parts of the body and prevent contact with any potentially contaminated objects or surfaces. Thanks to these features, these dresses can greatly reduce the risk of infections by blocking pathogens from entering the body. Furthermore, these dresses are made from high-quality materials and are designed for easy cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that staff are always able to keep their uniforms clean and hygienic. Moreover, these dresses continue to play a critical role in preventing health complications for patients undergoing surgery. OT Attires are an important aspect of healthcare.
Sterile gloves are worn by the operating surgeon before starting the operation. They prevent infection and transfer of microbes from the hands of the doctor to the medical equipment and patient. They also prevent blood or body fluid from touching the surgeon’s hands. After the use of gloves to deal with or operate on a patient, they are disposed of. So a single pair of gloves is used to work on only one patient. This is done to maintain an infection free environment. The skullcap or head cap is symbolic of the surgical profession. It can be worn when close to the totality of hair is covered by it and only a limited amount of hair on the nape of the neck or a modest sideburn remains uncovered. Head caps are important because hair carries a large number of microbes and can easily spread. Therefore it is of utmost importance in an operative setting to keep them covered. Like OT scrubs, cloth skull caps should be cleaned and changed daily. Single use skull caps should be disposed of following every dirty or contaminated case. Head caps made of cloth may be reused after sterilization.
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CLINICAL BENEFITS OF OT DRESSES IN INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Operation theatre dress, specifically the use of gloves and gowns, has been proven to be an effective way to prevent hospital acquired infections. In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that healthcare workers who wore gloves and gowns were less likely to come in contact with harmful bacteria. Additionally, wearing gloves and gowns can help protect patients from acquiring germs. Healthcare professionals should make sure they are familiar with the benefits of occupational therapy dress in order to provide the best care possible for their patients.
The OT dress acts as a physical barrier between patient and health worker’s skin. The normal human skin flora is lodged by many microorganisms which normally do not cause any harm to the person or others. But in a scenario of surgery, these same microorganisms on skin flora might pose a great health risk to the patient since the interior of the patient’s body, which is very sterile, gets exposed to the outside. It can lead to what is known as surgical site infections which can be superficially seen by naked eyes or can be deep inside the body near to the operated site affecting various tissues, organs or implants producing complications. It may lead to prolonged hospital stay and delay in wound healing. Thus wearing OT dresses during surgeries can prevent these from reaching the sterile surgical site and help in avoiding these complications. In addition to safety provided to patients, surgical dress also ensures protection to the healthcare workers operating and assisting in the operation theatre.
CONCLUSION
The healthcare industry is one of the most important and fastest growing industries in the world. In order to ensure the safety of both patients and medical professionals, it is imperative that all surgical personnel are wearing appropriate attire. By implementing a policy that requires all staff to wear surgical attire, hospitals can help protect their patients from possible infection or other health risks. OT dresses provide a number of clinical benefits in the area of infection prevention and control. Medical Staff who wear these dresses have been shown to have lower rates of hospital-acquired infections than those who do not.
Additionally, staff who wear uniforms that cover their arms and legs are less likely to contaminate medical equipment, patients and surfaces with bacteria from their skin. Surgical attire, while often thought of as simply clothing worn during surgery, serves an important role in protecting both the patient and the medical staff. Inappropriate clothing can lead to confusion among hospital personnel, cross-contamination, and even lawsuits. Thus, it is evident that surgical attire plays a critical role in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. The clinical benefits of OT dresses are well-documented and support the use of these garments as standard practice for protecting patients and staff from potential infections.
