Why are surgical scrub and surgical attire important?

During surgical procedures, both clients and providers are especially at risk of exposure to potentially infectious microorganisms.

Along with the other elements of aseptic technique, proper surgical attire helps reduce the risk of postprocedure infections in clients by decreasing the likelihood that microorganisms will enter areas of the client's body during procedures. Some elements of surgical attire are also designed to reduce service providers' risk of exposure to potentially infectious blood and and tissue during clinical procedures.

Surgical attire includes gloves, caps, masks, gowns, protective eyewear, waterproof aprons, and sturdy footwear.

Who is at risk?

Staff: During examinations or invasive procedures, service providers may be exposed to potentially infectious tissue, blood, or other body fluids. Surgical attire protects service providers by acting as a barrier against microorganisms.

Clients: The usually harmless microorganisms found on the skin, clothes, and hair of a service provider may cause infection when introduced into an area of the body where they are not normally found, such as into a client's internal organs during surgery. These normal flora can also cause infection in an immunocompromised person, who is especially susceptible to infection. Proper surgical attire protects clients from microorganisms on the service provider's skin, clothes, and hair and the microorganisms that are expelled during breathing, talking, or coughing.

Community: If their hands are contaminated, or if they become infected from exposure to bloodborne diseases, staff members can spread infections to their partners, friends, or family members. Infections acquired by both clients and staff can lead to increased infections throughout the community, since these infections can continue to be passed on to others.

Gloves, caps, masks, gowns, and footwear help reduce clients' risk of infections by lowering the chances that clients will be exposed to microorganisms during a clinical or surgical procedure.

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