Open AccessSurgeon Personal Protection: An Underappreciated Benefit of Positive-pressure Exhaust Suits
Author(s) -
Justin L. Makovicka,
Joshua S. Bingham,
Karan A. Patel,
Simon W. Young,
C.P. Beauchamp,
Mark J. Spangehl
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical orthopaedics and related research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1528-1132
pISSN - 0009-921X
DOI - 10.1007/s11999.0000000000000253
Subject(s) - medicine , orthopedic surgery , personal integrity , surgery , social psychology , psychology
Positive-pressure exhaust suits cost more than standard surgical gowns, and recent evidence suggests that they do not decrease infection risk. As a result, some hospitals and surgeons have abandoned positive-pressure exhaust suits in favor of less expensive alternatives. We propose that in addition to their original purpose of decreasing infection rates, positive-pressure exhaust suits may also improve personal protection for the surgeon and assistants, perhaps justifying their added costs.