Discontinuation of the use of theatre overshoes

[McLellan, Sue]

Hi All,

We are currently updating our guideline on surgical attire in the
operating suite and are keen to discontinue the use of overshoes being
worn in the operating suite.

Overshoes have been identified as being ineffective in reducing
bacterial floor contamination since the early 1990’s and are not
recognised in the ACORN standards as effective. Further there is
indication that there is in fact an increase in risk of bacterial
contamination through the process of removing foot coverings where sound
hand hygiene practices are not carried out.

We would like to seek advice and recommendations on the feasibility of
discontinuing the use of overshoes and theatre designated footwear and
guide personnel to wear clean enclosed slip resistant footwear in the
operating suite.

Cheers,

Sue

Sue McLellan
Infection Prevention Nurse Consultant
Infection Prevention & Healthcare Epidemiology

t +61 3 90763139 f +61 3 9076 6093 m 0438 564 764

e s.mclellan@alfred.org.au

Alfred Health
55 Commercial Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
PO Box 315 Prahran
VIC 3181 Australia

Alfred Health incorporates The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and
Sandringham Hospital
http://www.alfredhealth.org.au

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[Fiona Randall]

Hi Sue,

The Hospital Infection Society published an document quite a while ago
which was titled “Behaviours and rituals in the operating theatre”
http://www.his.org.uk/_db/_documents/Rituals-02.pdf
This working party who wrote the document carried out a thorough literature
review and made recommendations on practices based on the literature
available and where evidence was scarce – good sensible practices.
p.19 of the document discusses footwear & recommends the use of overshoes
should cease.

Regards,

Fiona Randall
CNC Infection Control
Wesley Mission Brisbane

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM, McLellan, Sue wrote:

> ** ** ** ** ** ** **
>
> Hi All,****
>
> ** **
>
> We are currently updating our guideline on surgical attire in the
> operating suite and are keen to discontinue the use of overshoes being worn
> in the operating suite. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Overshoes have been identified as being ineffective in reducing bacterial
> floor contamination since the early 1990s and are not recognised in the
> ACORN standards as effective. Further there is indication that there is in
> fact an increase in risk of bacterial contamination through the process of
> removing foot coverings where sound hand hygiene practices are not carried
> out.****
>
> ** **
>
> We would like to seek advice and recommendations on the feasibility of
> discontinuing the use of overshoes and theatre designated footwear and
> guide personnel to wear clean enclosed slip resistant footwear in the
> operating suite.****
>
> ** **
>
> Cheers,****
>
> ** **
>
> Sue****
>
> ** **
>
> ****
>
> *Sue McLellan**
> Infection Prevention Nurse Consultant
> Infection Prevention & Healthcare Epidemiology *****
>
>
> *t +61 3 90763139 f +61 3 9076 6093 m 0438 564 764 *****
>
> *e **s.mclellan@alfred.org.au* ****
>
>
> *Alfred Health*
> ****55 Commercial Road****
> ****Melbourne**** VIC 3004
> ****PO Box** 315** Prahran
> VIC 3181 ****Australia****
>
>
>
>
> Alfred Health incorporates The Alfred, **Caulfield** **Hospital** and ****
> Sandringham** **Hospital****
> http://www.alfredhealth.org.au
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are
> confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to
> whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please
> notify us by return email and delete all copies in your system. If you are
> not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure,
> copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of
> this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Alfred Health
> is not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information
> contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email.****
>
> ** **
> Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and
> do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
>
> Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives- registration and login required.
>
> Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new
> message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
>
> To send a message to the list administrator send an email to
> aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
>
> You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without
> the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
>

Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.

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