Why C-Arm Drape Contamination Matters: What Hospitals and Legal Teams Need to Know
In operating rooms across the country, the C-arm is a familiar sight. This imaging device helps surgeons see inside the body during procedures, making surgeries safer and more precise. But there’s a hidden risk that hospitals—and their legal counsel—can’t afford to ignore: contamination of the sterile field via the C-arm drape.
What’s the Problem?
Studies have shown that the drape covering a C-arm can become contaminated shockingly fast. Right after it’s put on, about 17% of drapes are already contaminated. Within 20 minutes, that number jumps to 50%. By the time 80 minutes have passed, 80% of drapes show signs of contamination. For patients, this means a higher risk of infection. For hospitals, it can mean costly complications—and potential legal exposure.
How Does Contamination Happen?
The biggest culprit is how the C-arm is moved during surgery. When the device is rotated to the side (called a lateral position), or when the x-ray tube is raised, the drape can come into contact with unsterile parts of the device. The top of the C-arm, in particular, is a hotspot for contamination, because it gets closest to these unprotected areas.
Why Should Legal Teams Care?
Surgical site infections can lead to prolonged hospital stays, additional procedures, and in severe cases, lasting harm to patients. These outcomes often lead to questions about whether hospitals followed proper protocols. If an infection can be traced back to improper draping or handling of the C-arm, it’s not just a medical issue—it’s a legal one.
Best Practices: What Hospitals Can Do
Experts recommend several steps to reduce the risk:
- Drape the C-arm as close to the time of use as possible.
- Always follow the drape manufacturer’s instructions.
- Treat the top of the drape as contaminated after the C-arm is moved.
- Change gloves immediately if the drape is touched during repositioning.
- Use advanced draping systems, such as those with built-in pouches, to protect the sterile field.
- Develop clear, standardized policies for C-arm draping and handling.
The Legal Takeaway
For hospitals and their counsel, staying up to date with best practices isn’t just about patient safety—it’s about risk management. Documenting adherence to the latest guidelines, training staff thoroughly, and regularly reviewing protocols can make all the difference if a case ever ends up in court.
For patients who have suffered severe injury or death due to a hospital-acquired infection after surgery, it is important to evaluate whether the source of the preventable infection may have been the C-arm or other related equipment.
Girards Law Firm specializes in severe injury and wrongful death cases, especially those that involve birth injuries, brain damage, heart damage, spinal cord injuries or severe burns in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Contact us at www.girardslaw.com by using the chat feature for more information.