Infection control assessment in the perioperative setting.

Perioperative nursing staff are continually involved in various forms of assessment related to patient care. Inherent in the surgical setting is the effort to minimize the risk of nosocomial infection to the patient and, at the same time, provide a safe environment for the health care professional. Perioperative staff must consider the multiple factors that influence infection outcomes and risks in the surgical setting and be familiar with strategies for personal protection against communicable disease.