The Surgical Cap is an essential piece of the dress code for healthcare professionals, surgeons who work in the operating room, dentists, and other healthcare professionals in the community. It complements the personal protective gear worn by healthcare professionals to protect their bodies from the harmful effects of bacteria, microbes, and other pathogens they encounter daily. It is an essential hygiene precaution that should be noticed. Click here for more information!

What is a scrub hat?

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is a must-have worn during surgery to guard the skin, Hair, and other soiled materials from infections. It’s worn to shield serums and blood products from hair. They are made from medical-grade silicone, lasting up to 24 hours after wearing. They must be removed after the surgical procedure to prevent contamination. 

A scrub hat shields the head from injuries and hair loss. They feature a distinctive design that provides protection and comfort. The skull caps are typically used in medical settings such as dentists, vets, and dental assistants. Disposable hair caps are versatile and suitable for use in salons, factories, house cleaning, and food service establishments.

Why do you wear a cap on your hair?

It is crucial to wear a scrub cap in the operating theater since the patient’s immune system can be at its weakest, and the contamination of the sterile region can’t be hampered. Cleaning and maintaining a clean setting in the operating theater is crucial. All surgeons, assistant physicians, or other personnel involved in the procedure are advised to observe all safety precautions to protect the patient from infection. 

Wearing scrub caps can have an impact on patients. It prevents hairs from falling onto patients during surgical procedures. Furthermore, there is a chance of being cut by the cutting instruments while performing surgery, so it shields both surgeons and patients. In addition, it keeps sweat from entering the eye, which could cause irritation and blindness.

It is typically worn in food stores or bakery manufacturing facilities to keep hairs and other microorganisms from dropping from the scalp to the food. Bouffant caps are regarded as a fundamental hygiene measure. These caps are also employed in cleaning your home to keep dust and other particles from settling into the hair and ear. Also, it makes hair styling easy and quick.

What are the different kinds of surgical caps?

Based on the purpose and length of hair and work, various types of scrub caps can be found. They are commonly used by medical professionals and at places where hygiene is a major concern. Examples include bakery shops, food manufacturing facilities, houses, cleaning services, and hair salons. The following are some of the types of surgical caps:

• Disposable cap

These caps are utilized in locations with a significant chance of infection and contamination. Therefore, these caps are removed after usage. Disposable caps are usually composed of cloth or paper. They shield the hair of surgeons from blood and dirt. These surgical caps are created to be breathable and light and also to protect against the possibility of fluid contact. Read more to find out.

• Disposable Bouffant Cap

Bouffant caps are commonly used in areas requiring sterility, such as laboratories, medical establishments, and clean rooms. They are breathable and feature an elastic shape and puffy design that ensures the best comfort. 

They can stretch and be slung to the ear to provide more protection. The bouffant caps for disposables are green and made of polypropylene, which is non-woven, making them easy on hair. Furthermore, the closed design prevents sweat from flowing across the face.

• Pixie Surgical cap

These caps are perfect for those with shorter hair since they are fitted tightly and don’t have any additional space. They are made from latex and cotton and can be used again.

• Ponytail scrub cap

These caps are mainly suitable for long hair as they feature an opening on the back that allows hairs to be placed. They also come with an opening in the pouch that allows one to put their hair in. The ponytail scrub caps are available in various colors and materials.

Which is Better: Cloth Surgical Hat or a Bouffant Cap?

Amidst the many fascinating debates around the medical community currently is which scrub cap that is available in the market for surgical hats is superior- an embroidered surgical hat made of cloth or bouffant caps. 

Although surgical hats leave a portion of the ear and the back part of your head unprotected, bouffant caps are loose-fitting caps made of polyester that completely cover the head and leave no area of the ear or head unprotected. 

The debate started because the American College of Surgeons issued guidelines that suggested the use of cloth surgical caps, and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses advised that bouffant caps be used within operating rooms. Various research institutes, universities, and colleges conducted various trials to stop the arguments. 

While some institutions, like the Department of Nursing and NorthWestern College, Iowa, recommended using cloth surgical hats, institutes favored the bouffant cap as more effective in achieving their goals. The debate ended temporarily thanks to an article published by the National Library of Medicine, which declares that neither of the caps for surgery has shown any advantage in increasing surgical site infection (SSI) diminution over other caps.

This means that both are equally effective in protecting sterile operation rooms. However, numerous renowned institutions are still waiting to release their findings, and this controversy will likely resurface when the results are released.

Final Thoughts

The surgical hat is just one of many items employed in operating theatres; however, they are vitally important. In reality, simply wearing the surgical cap isn’t enough, and it is suggested that surgical hats be sterilized following each use. Medical experts have suggested washing these caps with warm water with an average temperature of 40-60 degrees Celsius. So, this same cap could be reused multiple times, and the speed of biomedical waste creation is reduced.

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