Bacterial sedimentation during cardiac surgery reduced by disposable clothing.
The effect of three types of operating-room clothing on bacterial sedimentation was studied during cardiac valve surgery. The 24 operations were divided into three groups, according to type of clothing worn by all personnel--standard cotton, open style non-woven or closed style non-woven. Sedimentation on open agar plates was greatest when cotton clothing was worn, less with open style non-woven garments (difference not significant), and still less with closed style non-woven clothing (difference statistically significant). The sedimentation corresponded to estimated airborne concentrations (cfu/m3) of 79.6 (cotton clothing), 59.7 (open style non-woven) and 7.2 (closed style non-woven). Use of closed style non-woven operation clothing is recommended for cardiac surgery.
Lippert
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Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gutschik
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D000328:Adult; D000391:Air Microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003020:Clothing; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*