Operating theatre textiles

Textile materials used in the operating theatre include surgeons gowns, caps and masks, patient drapes, and cover cloths of various sizes (Fig. 5.7). It is essential that the environment of the operating theatre is clean and a strict control of infection is maintained. A possible source of infection to the patient is the pollutant particles shed by the nursing staff, which carry bacteria. Surgical gowns should act as a barrier to... 

This chapter deals with the medical and related health care sector more precisely the textiles used in the operating theatre and hospital ward for the hygiene, care and safety of staff and patients. 

In the past, the main reason for using textiles in the operating theatre was to protect the patient from the medical staff. Today, the opposite also applies and healthcare workers need protection becanse of the spread of Aids, Hepatitis B and other infections. These requirements demand the development of more effective protective textiles. So, the scientific commnnity and the textile researchers, in particular, must work together to respond to the needs of barrier and comfort concerns of healthcare workers. 

There are a number of factors that need to be considered to determine what type of textile to use in the operating theatre, which will be based on a number of various, perhaps competing, priorities ... 

Bogdan, A., Sudol-Szopinska, I. Szopinski, T. 2011. Assessment of Textiles for Use in Operating Theatres with respect to the Thermal Comfort of Surgeons. Fibres Textiles in Eastern Europe, 19, 65-69. 

I pondered over this preface for some time, trying to find the right words to ejqrress the level of passion I have for the domain of military textiles and personal equipment and the respect for those who work tirelessly in research and development to try to ease the bmden plaeed on oire military persormel, who are engaged in inereasingly complex theatres of operation. 

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