Properly disinfecting surgeons’ hands, patients’ skin and operating room surfaces could help curb the spread of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) pathogens in the operating room, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.
University of Iowa researchers cal current adherence to evidence-based, basic, preventive measures "abysmal.”
The researchers confirmed patient skin surfaces and healthcare provider hands as sources of pathogen transmission.
They also said that operating room environmental surfaces were linked with transmission, indicating the importance of continually assessing the effectiveness of environmental cleaning protocols.