Behaviours and Rituals in the Operating Theatre (2001) A Report from the Hospital Infection Society (HIS) Working Group on Infection Control in the Operating Theatres

The document aims to provide clear and practical guidelines for infection control practitioners and other healthcare staff working in operating theatres. The Hospital Infection Society set up a working group divided into three sub-groups: - Sub-group 1. - To review the scientific and other evidence for current infection control practices in operating theatres and make recommendations on which practices demonstrate best practice or conversely are of little perceived benefit. Sub-group 2. - To produce rational, feasible and applicable guidelines for environmental monitoring Sub-group 3. - To consider optimal theatre facilities This report is from group 1. It was widely circulated as a draft document to professional groups and organisations for comments early in 2001, revised to incorporate appropriate feedback and then posted on the HIS website. The report reviews infection control policy in theatres (universal or standard precautions), theatre rituals in areas of patient preparation, rituals at the operating table, rituals perpetuated by theatre staff and departmental rituals. The working party has reviewed the scientific evidence of many of the rituals practised and where available indicated the strength of that evidence, categorised according to those used by epic-developing national evidence based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infection. Recommendations are made but should be followed against a background that maintains safety of both the patient and staff and recognises the importance of care, concern and discipline in the operating theatre.