Wearing surgical attire outside the operating room: a survey of habits of anesthesiologists and surgeons in Israel.

Background: Nurses observe regulations restricting the use of uncovered surgical attire outside the operating room (OR), but there are no guidelines for physicians nor data on their habits in this matter. We assessed physicians' attitudes and behavior about OR attire in non-OR areas.

Study Design: A multicenter study was conducted among 106 units and departments in 23 university-affiliated, teaching and public hospitals and 2 private hospitals in Israel. Physicians were asked to respond "yes" or "no" to seven questions about their own habits of wearing OR attire outside the OR.

Results: The response rate was 62.3%. More than one-half (53%) reported not observing any policy on wearing surgical attire outside the OR; 86% believed that such a policy is needed. Most (80%) left the OR area still wearing OR attire, 82% did not change to regular clothes later on, 63% responded that wearing covering apparel or a laboratory coat is acceptable, and 38% considered it obligatory to change to regular attire when leaving the OR. Most (71%) of the orthopaedic surgeons reported that they changed to regular clothing, compared with fewer gynecologists, general surgeons, and anesthesiologists. More anesthesiologists than other specialists covered themselves with some garment when leaving the OR area and 67% of them considered covering OR attire mandatory.

Conclusions: Israeli physicians behave differently with regard to wearing OR attire outside the OR. Orthopaedic surgeons and anesthesiologists are more disciplined, and gynecologists are the least observant. Most physicians recognize the importance of establishing strict guidelines of behavior.