Premium
Hand Contamination, Cross‐Transmission, and Risk‐Associated Behaviors: An Observational Study of Team Members in ORs
Author(s) -
Megeus Veronika,
Nilsson Kerstin,
Karlsson Jón,
Eriksson Bengt I.,
Andersson Annette Erichsen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2015.06.018
Subject(s) - hygiene , observational study , contamination , transmission (telecommunications) , asepsis , medicine , workload , cross infection , quality (philosophy) , medical emergency , environmental health , emergency medicine , computer science , surgery , pathology , philosophy , epistemology , ecology , telecommunications , biology , operating system
Team members in ORs have frequent hand contact with many surfaces and sites during high workload, thus increasing the risk for microorganism cross‐transmission. This study aimed at identifying risks for hand contamination and microorganism cross‐transmission during invasive procedures in ORs. We carried out observations during 22 daytime sessions and analyzed data using qualitative content analysis. The results revealed that clinicians’ hands may be contaminated by self‐contamination, via objects, or by touching the patient. Contamination may occur before, during, or directly after performing an invasive procedure requiring the use of aseptic technique, which risks cross‐transmitting microorganisms. The results of the study contribute detailed knowledge about risk‐associated activities and behaviors in relation to performing invasive procedures in the OR. This knowledge provides clinicians, managers, and educators with specific information that can be used in nursing and medical education and in quality improvement projects aimed at improving hand hygiene routines and enhancing aseptic technique.