284 Eye Protection Compliance in the Operating Theatres of a Regional Major Trauma Centre

Abstract

Abstract Aim Surgical procedures inherently involve risk of blood splatter. Various studies have consistently demonstrated significant (>40%) contamination of face masks worn by surgeons, though this may be macroscopically visible in fewer than half of cases; laparoscopic surgery is similarly not devoid of risk, with a comparable contamination profile. Nevertheless, routine use of eye protection by scrubbed surgical staff is inconsistent. This study audited the use of eye-protection by scrubbed surgical staff in a Major Trauma Centre. Method Local Trust guidelines mandated scrubbed surgical staff to wear eye-protection (namely disposable visor-masks or plastic glasses, not including spectacles). Operations over an initial 6-week cycle were audited to determine the rate of eye-protection use by surgical staff. Following a presentation to theatre staff, a further audit cycle was completed to assess for improvement in guideline compliance. Results 98 operations were recorded in the first cycle, 39 of which were open procedures. Compliance rates were measured for different staff grades. Across all operations, 301 staff were scrubbed (183 surgeons). 52.2% of scrubbed staff (35% of surgeons) wore the requisite eye protection. Re-audit involved 88 operations, including 31 open procedures, with a total of 243 scrubbed staff (146 surgeons). A demonstrable increase in compliance occurred across all staff grades with a total compliance rate of 67.5% (49% of surgeons). Conclusions Conjunctival contamination presents significant risk to surgeons without adequate protection. The results of this study demonstrate the inadequacy of current protective practice; increasing awareness of the necessity for adequate eye protection is thus a clinical priority.