Case Studies
Ms. Njeri, a surgical assistant, has been working in the operating theater of a maternity hospital for many years. Ms. Njeri enjoys her work and is very good at it. Recently, however, she has become allergic to the only two locally available antiseptics.
What surgical handscrub option does Ms. Njeri have if she is to continue working in the operating theater?
Nurse Wafula has recently started working at a clinic that provides a variety of contraceptive methods, including vasectomy and tubal ligation. As part of her orientation, for the past two weeks she has been the scrub nurse for all of the surgical procedures. There have been an average of 10 surgical procedures a day, all done in the morning.
To avoid skin irritation from a thorough surgical scrub between each case, which would increase her risk of infection, what surgial scrub option is available to Nurse Wafula?
The clinic where Dr. Mwari works has not received the antiseptic solution it ordered from central supply stores. The clinic has run out of antiseptic and does not have the money to buy the amount of antiseptic needed at the market.
What option for surgical scrub does Dr. Mwari have?
Dr. Montha, a surgeon, has just finished her surgical scrub and enters the operating theater. The gowned scrub nurse hands her a sterile towel, and she dries her hands and arms. She turns to the scrub nurse, who holds open a sterile gown, and she puts it on. Then the scrub nurse ties the surgeon's gown in the back.
Is this an appropriate practice? Why or why not?
While putting on gloves before surgery, Dr. Amin lightly brushes the fingertip of one gloved hand against the edge of the counter. Since gloves are always in short supply and he only quickly brushed just one fingertip against the counter, Dr. Amin decides not to change his gloves and proceeds with the surgery.
Is the surgical client at risk of infection? Why or why not?
What is the appropriate action for Dr. Amin to take in this situation?
Because the washing machines at a district hospital broke down, masks were not ready for the day's surgery. One of the orthopedic surgeons recommended that the staff wrap several layers of gauze around their faces to keep their noses and mouths covered. Some staff members decided they preferred the gauze to the masks and continued to use the gauze even when the laundered masks became available.
Is this an appropriate practice? Why or why not?