Assessing the risk of blood exposure in the operating room.

During the past 3 years, a great deal of new information has been published on the risk of blood exposure and injury in the operating room. In addition, detailed information about the effectiveness of barrier materials, operating room garments, and gloves has also become available. On the basis of this information, it has become possible to recommend strategies, barrier materials, and garments that should reduce the risk of contracting a blood-borne infection in the operating room. Further attempts to decrease the risk of blood exposure and injury require thorough evaluation of all risk-reduction strategies and careful selection of protective apparel and barriers on the basis of well-designed studies performed in the operating room environment.