Incidence of Wet and Compromised Sterile Surgical Packs in Association with Competence of Operating Room Staff in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Wet and compromised sterile packs are patient safety issues in surgical practice because any remaining moisture and packaging flaws provide avenues of microbial contamination of sterilized instruments. Although there is increasing evidence on this matter at international levels only, no Pakistani operating room data were available, especially on the incidence of packs and employee knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Wrapping made of linen, which continues to be popular in resource constrained environments, has been linked with increased moisture retention and loss of sterility. Objective: This research will establish the rate and nature of wet and compromised sterile packs reaching the operating room, and the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the operating room staff in identifying and dealing with them. Methods: Over the course of four weeks, data will be gathered for this cross-sectional study in a teaching tertiary care hospital. Two sets of data collection tools will be used simultaneously: a validated KAP questionnaire to be distributed to the staff of the operating room and central sterile supply department, and a pack observation checklist as a structured pack to record the condition of all sterile packages entering the operating room. Sterile packs utilized during the study period will be all included. The group of 20-60 staff members will be used as a convenience sample. The SPSS will be used to analyze data and will involve the use of descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests to determine relationships between staff demographics and KAP scores. Expected Results: According to similar regional and international literature, wet and compromised packs should occur at different rates in different types of packs and different materials used in its packaging. KAP scores in the operating room personnel are expected to vary based on years of experience, title, and training on sterile processing in the past. The knowledge-practice gap revealed will be understood within the framework of the available educational and systemic aspects at the institutional level. This study will generate the first documented evidence on wet and compromised sterile pack incidence and staff KAP from a Pakistani operating room setting. The results will be used to guide specific training interventions, institutional policy change, and will also serve as a basis to enhance the sterile processing practice in resource-constrained healthcare settings.