Effectiveness of reducing bacterial air contamination when covering sterile goods in the operating room setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis (12 January 2024)

Summary

Postoperative surgical site infection is a serious problem. Coverage of sterile goods may be important to protect the goods from bacterial air contamination while awaiting surgery.

This study from Wistrand and colleagues, evaluated the effectiveness of this practice in a systematic review covering five databases using search terms related to bacterial contamination in the operating room and on surgical instruments. No negative effects regarding bacterial contamination were found and the authors conclude that protection with a sterile cover decreases bacterial air contamination of sterile goods while waiting for surgery to start.