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M AY 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
W
e're learning more all the
time about barrier protec-
tion, but the most impor-
tant thing we know — and
evidence-based research
tells us the same thing — is something we've
P E R S O N A L P R O T E C T I O N
A review of the many ways
that gloves, gowns, masks and
drapes prevent infections.
Charlene DiNobile, RN, MEd,
CNOR, CST, NEA-BC, CSPDT
East Greenwich, R.I.
GOT IT COVERED Every team
member
must practice excellent
aseptic techniques during each case.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
The Evolution of
Barrier Protection
known for a long time:
Barriers only work as
well as the people fol-
lowing the protocols
involved. That founda-
tion, the "surgical con-
science" that compels us
to always to the right
things, even if no one is
watching, is at the heart
of all we do. But recent
research is also provid-
ing some new insights
into why barrier protec-
tion matters.
1. Should we
cover surgical
setups?
In at least one case,
we've come full circle. In
the 1970s, it was consid-
ered acceptable to cover
surgical setups
,
as long
as the covering was done
correctly and wasn't left
in place for a prolonged
period of time. Some
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