Please help! New Muslim in OR

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Hi Everybody, hope someone can help, or point me in the right direction! :)

I am a Muslim woman who has started working in a new zealand operating theatre.

I prefer to cover everything but my hands and face, and I ensure I can roll up my sleeves while working.

My dilemma is, our disposable hats do not cover me as much as I want, and our anaesthatists wear their own headwear....

Does anyone know where I can find evidence of best practise about infection rates in OR related to headwear?

Would dedicated headwear from home be enough? What do other muslim women do?

If you could help me out I would really appreciate it!

Thanks:)

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hi everybody, hope someone can help, or point me in the right direction! :)

i am a muslim woman who has started working in a new zealand operating theatre.

i prefer to cover everything but my hands and face, and i ensure i can roll up my sleeves while working.

my dilemma is, our disposable hats do not cover me as much as i want, and our anaesthatists wear their own headwear....

does anyone know where i can find evidence of best practise about infection rates in or related to headwear?

would dedicated headwear from home be enough? what do other muslim women do?

if you could help me out i would really appreciate it!

thanks:)

[color=darkslategray]i would wonder what your facility's policy is regarding hats brought from home. where i work, several people wear hats (some home-made) from home, and pledge to wash them between each wearing. of course, they must adhere to the basic precepts of being of non-shedding material, with no portions falling below a certain point of the neckline. i think much would depend upon whether or not you scrub, too. no portion of any headgear should interfere with a sterile field.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I don't want to sound insensitive but I think you should be expected to follow the OR protocol. You are being paid and should follow the rules. If your religion doesn't allow this you should look for work in a different department.

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

I disagree with the prev post. I don't think people should change careers for that. There has to be a way for muslim women to be able to work in the OR and still follow protocol. That would mean that no muslim woman should be allowed to work in the OR and I don't think that would be very fair.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did say no to headwear from home.

But if they don't, ask. Show what you would be wearing, so that the supervisor can see the material, etc. in order to make a decision. If it's unacceptable, ask if there are any suggestions they may have as an alternative.

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Specializes in Operating Room,, Plastic Surgery.

try wearing the disposable hats that the OR provides for males with beards

they cover head neck and most of the face

as for custom hats, many sewing patterns are avialable.

usually must be washed at home, and carried into work in a plastic bag

hope this was helpful

marci

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Thanks for the great dialogue guys!!!

I have found your advice invalueable....

in response to the "find a job that suits your religion" person, I am really happy to say my employers have been fantastic with me about my needs, and have agreed to source disposable headwear similar to the mens full helmets, but with extra material covering the "v" in our scrub shirts.

If anyone else is looking, found great reference articles in AORN about recommendations around personally owned cloth hats!

So yay for open dialogue, and getting a result everyone can be happy with!

Cheers :)

nz nourah

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

Good for you!!! :yeah:

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Can you provide the references related to the personal headware..THANKS!

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