In the medical profession, hygiene is of the utmost importance. As a doctor in charge of surgical procedures, you must be conscious of strict hygiene rules and regulations at all times. This is to ensure the safety of your patients and to protect your own health and well-being. There are numerous hygiene rules that all doctors should adhere to when performing surgeries. To help you stay safe and healthy while helping others, here are 5 important hygiene rules for doctors in charge of surgeries.
Hand Washing
An infection that develops at the site of a surgical procedure is known as a surgical site infection (SSI). SSIs are a substantial cause of illness and mortality worldwide and can occasionally be fatal.
One of the most crucial strategies to stop the spread of illnesses in hospitals is through proper hand washing. The “My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the critical circumstances in which healthcare professionals should practice hand hygiene:
- Prior to contacting a patient,
- Prior to clean-up or sterile operations
- Following contact with bodily secretions or fluids
- Following contact with a patient’s wound.
- Following contact with a patient’s intact skin
Use of Gloves
The use of gloves is an important aspect of surgical hygiene. Gloves protect the hands of the surgeon from contact with blood and other body fluids, which can lead to infection. They also help to prevent the spread of infection from the patient to the surgeon.
Gloves should be changed between patients, and after any contact with a contaminated surface. Hands should be washed thoroughly before putting on new gloves. If hands become contaminated while wearing gloves, they should be washed immediately and new gloves should be put on.
Use of Sterile Equipment
One of the most important aspects of surgical hygiene is the use of sterile equipment. This means that all instruments and materials used in the surgery must be free of any microorganisms that could potentially cause infection. Sterile equipment is typically sterilized using either autoclaves or chemical disinfectants.
It is essential that doctors in charge of surgeries ensure that all equipment is properly sterilized before use. They should also be aware of the proper methods for sterilizing equipment and take care to follow these procedures carefully. In some cases, it may be necessary to sterilize equipment on site before use. This can be done using portable autoclaves or other suitable sterilization devices.
Use of Disinfectants
It is important for doctors in charge of surgeries to disinfect their hands and instruments before and after each operation. They should also wear clean gloves when handling patients. Doctors should also sterilize their equipment before each use.
Sterilization of the Operating Room
The operating room must be kept clean and free of germs at all times. All surfaces must be wiped down with a disinfectant solution, and the floor must be mopped with a sanitizing solution. All equipment and instruments must be sterilized before each use.
Doctors in charge of surgeries must take special care to ensure that the operating room is sterilized before each procedure. This means that all surfaces must be wiped down with a disinfectant solution, and the floor must be mopped with a sanitizing solution. In addition, all equipment and instruments must be sterilized before each use. These measures are essential in order to prevent infection and ensure the safety of both patients and medical staff.