Is Reuse of Drapes Safe? - PSIDispo

In recent years there has been a shift toward using disposable drapes instead of permanent ones.

What Exactly Is A Surgical Drape?

Surgical drapes and gowns are specifically produced to satisfy the stringent standards of various procedures. They offer the proper protection based on the type of surgical intervention, maximising clinical patient safety and user comfort. As medical devices, surgical gowns and drapes must have the CE mark and comply with European Standard EN 13795. 

These requirements must be met to receive the CE mark. They must adhere to legally mandated minimum criteria in various categories, including microbiological penetration, tensile strength, linting, and fluid permeability.

The gowns and drapes used during surgical procedures are either reusable or disposable. A sterile barrier is produced by surgical gowns and drapes, preventing surgical site infections. Practitioners must be aware of how to handle and apply drapes to a patient in a safe manner. It is also essential that practitioners know how to dress the gown safely.

What Are The Types Of Surgical Drapes?

There are many types of surgical drapes, which include the followings:

• Shoulder Medical Drapes

Surgical drapes are used to maintain a sterile operating environment during shoulder surgery, and surgical drapes are used. The substance is odourless, non-irritating, and non-toxic; also, it does not cause any adverse effects on the body of a human being. Effectively improve surgical procedures' efficiency while lowering the risk of cross-infection.

• Gynecologic Surgical Drapes 

The sterile environment of the gynaecological operating room requires gynaecology drapes. The substance is odourless, non-irritating, and non-toxic; also, it does not cause any adverse effects on the body of a human being. Effectively improve surgical procedures' efficiency while lowering the risk of cross-infection.

• Side Medical Adhesive Drape

A side drape is used so that the surgical wound, the surgical tools, and the hands of the surgeon can be protected from contamination. For the drape to be successful, it must cover at the very least all the persons there, or almost all of them, and enough of the surrounding area to prevent accidental contamination.

• Laparoscopy Disposable Surgical Drape

To maintain sterility during laparoscopic surgery, a laparoscopy drape must be used. The substance is odourless, non-irritating, and non-toxic; also, it does not cause any adverse effects on the body of a human being. Effectively improve surgical procedures' efficiency while lowering the risk of cross-infection.

• Surgical Disposable Caesarean Drape

A caesarean drape is used for both laparotomy and caesarean procedures in the operating room.

The goal is to stop the spread of infection from one patient to another, to safeguard both patients and medical professionals, and to save the unborn child.

• Mayo Stand Cover Disposable And Medical

During an operation, the Mayo Stand Cover is used to conceal the table in the operating room. A nonwoven fabric has adhered to one side of the cover bag. The Mayo Stand Cover is a cylinder-shaped cover constructed of a cylinder-shaped blue PE film.

Is Reuse Of Drapes Safe?

A surgical site infection is one of the most frequent surgical problems, particularly in orthopaedics, where a prosthetic infection can be lethal. Approximately 23% of all nosocomial infections are surgical site infections, the most frequent. While reusable textiles make up half of the supplies used in surgical procedures in Europe, 90% of surgeries in the United States use disposable gowns and drapes. 

Research comparing the two approaches has been made as a result, and it compares them not only in terms of how well the patient is protected against SSI but also in terms of the comfort of the medical personnel, healthcare economics, and the environmental life cycle. 

A surgical gown has two main purposes: it prevents healthcare professionals from contracting blood-borne illnesses from patients and lessens the spread of skin bacteria among them. The protection should be dependable and sustained throughout the process, regardless of whether the gown becomes wet from blood, perspiration, or fluid. The type of material used, the volume of fluid exposed, and the pressure used all affect the amount of bacterial strike-through.