Name one way to reduce exposure to blood and bodily fluids in the OR.

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial in reducing exposure to blood and bodily fluids in the operating room. PPE includes items such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection, which serve as barriers between healthcare personnel and potentially infectious materials. By using these protective measures, surgical technologists can significantly decrease the risk of contamination and infection, ensuring both their safety and the safety of the patients. PPE is designed to effectively shield the wearer from exposure during procedures that may involve splashing, spraying, or contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

While limiting access to the surgical team, using larger swabs, or minimizing the use of sharp instruments may contribute in some indirect ways to safety in the operating room, they do not provide the direct and essential protection that properly fitted and utilized PPE does. Ultimately, PPE is a fundamental component of infection control and personal safety protocols in the surgical environment.