title: It's second nature to me now. OR rituals.
abstract: Insufficient data exist relating to surgical asepsis; relying solely on data collection to determine practices limits patient care. Until clinical data are available that support or disclaim established traditions, it may be wise to hold customs that we believe have kept the patient safe. Rituals define and maintain sterility and provide freedom; certain traditions become part of the OR team's practice so that attention can be focused on the surgical procedure. As professional nurses, it is our responsibility to question dogma and to change our rituals when studies indicate the need for change.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crow
mesh_terms: D001207:Asepsis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000379:methods*