A Cover Up? Potential Risks of Wearing Theatre Clothing outside Theatre

Abstract

A report from the Hospital Infection Society Working Group (2002) examined ritualistic practices in theatre and evidence was sought to establish which practices could be supported with clear scientific evidence. The report stated that there is little or no research to show that wearing theatre attire outside the theatre and returning without changing into clean theatre attire increases wound infection rates. It is difficult to implement infection control practices on a scientific basis as there is often a lack of evidence to support the practice. Moreover, many practices are grounded in ‘this is the way things are done around here’ (Ward 2000).