Consultation on the 'Rituals and behaviours in the operating theatre' joint guidelines (Healthcare Infection Society and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases)

Summary

The Healthcare Infection Society are inviting external comments on: Rituals and behaviours in the operating theatre – the joint guidelines of Healthcare Infection Society and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and its study group (ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infections [ESGNI]).

Deadline: 3 February 2023, 17:00 pm.

Content

Prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) remains a main priority in operating theatres. This has previously led to the introduction of practices, often referred to as rituals and behaviours and sometimes labelled as ‘myths’. Some of them are not underpinned by sound scientific evidence, but they are established in everyday practice, and considered by many as traditional to help ensure discipline and professionalism in the operating theatre.

Previous Healthcare Infection Society guidelines were published 20 years ago, and they aimed to debunk some of the practices. Since then, new technologies have emerged, and an update was required. These new updated guidelines, produced in collaboration between Healthcare Infection Society and The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, used NICE-accredited methodology to provide further advice on which practices are unnecessary. Specifically, they discuss the current available evidence for 40 different rituals which are commonplace in the operating theatre and highlight the gaps in knowledge with recommendations for future research.

As part of the consultation, we will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 25 January, 17:00 - 18:00. During the webinar, the attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions to a panel who were involved in the guideline development, and give their feedback.