Why does a surgical technologist don a gown, gloves, and mask when transporting a burn patient?

A surgical technologist dons a gown, gloves, and mask when transporting a burn patient primarily because the patient is under isolation precautions. Burn patients often have compromised skin integrity, making them vulnerable to infections, which necessitates taking special precautions to prevent exposure to pathogens from both the surgical technologist and the environment.

Isolation precautions help protect the patient from external contaminants and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, which can complicate recovery. These measures are essential because burn wounds can be exceptionally susceptible to infection due to the loss of the epidermal barrier and the potential for bacterial colonization.

This practice supports maintaining a sterile and safe environment for the burn patient, as well as ensuring that the surgical technologist minimizes their own risk of contaminating the wound or maximizing the patient's exposure to potentially harmful microorganisms.