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Cloth Hats: (W)Hat’S The Issue, Elizabeth Mckenna

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

Introduction

The aim of this discussion paper is to consider three issues regarding perioperative attire:

1. whether cloth hats or disposable hats are better for reducing patient risk of acquiring a surgical site infection (SSI)
2. whether the risk of infection is different for the bouffant style of hat compared to the skullcap style of hat
3. whether there is enough evidence available to support a statement that cloth hats are safe to wear in the operating suite.

Background

Hats have been routinely worn in operating suites since the 1950s. The intention of covering the hair has been to reduce the risk of …