What is the purpose of using barrier techniques during surgery?

Using barrier techniques during surgery primarily serves the purpose of ensuring proper infection control. These techniques, such as the use of sterile drapes, gloves, masks, and surgical gowns, create a controlled environment that minimizes the potential for microbial contamination. This is crucial because surgical sites are at risk for infection due to exposure to bacteria from the skin, air, and surgical instruments. By maintaining a sterile field, surgeons effectively reduce the risk of postoperative infections, which can lead to complications and can significantly impact patient healing and overall outcomes.

In contrast, while enhancing patient comfort and reducing the need for anesthesia may have their own importance in surgical procedures, they are not the primary goals of implementing barrier techniques. Additionally, speeding up the surgical process can be a benefit but is not the main objective of employing barrier techniques, which focus primarily on maintaining sterility and preventing infection rather than improving efficiency.