OR Manager Reports Decrease in Use of Cover Gowns, Shoe Covers

According to an OR Manager survey only 25% of managers require cover gowns, compared with 40% in 1998 and 79% in 1994. Shoe covers have been made optional by 86% of managers, up from 44% in 1994.

Other facts reported in the survey include a growing trend of moving away from expiration dating for sterile packages - 87% reported that they now use an event-related approach. 93% of respondents also reported that they still use scrub suits laundered in their facility. Nearly 50% of surgeons' still use razors for preoperative hair removal, despite a large body of research showing that preoperative shaving is unnecessary and may be harmful.

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