In February of 2024, I was scheduled to undergo a bilateral salpingectomy - a relatively quick, 45-minute (no cath) laparoscopic abdominal procedure. As a healthy 21-year-old with previous sexual and medical trauma, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation. After being given a gown, I was told to remove all undergarments. While my nurses were understanding enough to let me keep my bra after explaining my past traumas, they insisted that my underwear had to be removed. This struck me as odd since they could work the heart monitors around that but not around underwear for an abdominal procedure. I was told this was to “maintain a sterile environment”. 

 The operating room is not as sterile as the medical profession claims. If the ‘no underwear’ policy helped to maintain a sterile environment, doctors and nurses should not wear underwear either. Medical professionals often carry more germs than the surgery patient because of restroom breaks as well as interactions with numerous other patients all without changing scrubs in between. Most infections that happen as a result of surgeries are due to medical professionals not washing their hands and bringing germs into the operating room.

This experience is not unique to me; it's shared by many patients across Kentucky and the United States who have undergone surgical procedures. The American College of Surgeons' guidelines do not explicitly require the removal of undergarments unless necessary for the specific surgical site or type (American College of Surgeons). Yet this practice continues in many hospitals causing discomfort and distress among patients. It is very disturbing that operating room personnel at some hospitals routinely remove patients’ gowns and underwear once the patient is under anesthesia and re-dress the patient before he or she wakes up. This is very unethical and deceptive. Many patients have no idea how they are completely exposed when they are under anesthesia.

We must respect patient dignity while ensuring their safety during surgeries. It's time we review these practices and establish clear guidelines that prioritize patient comfort without compromising on healthcare standards.

Join us in urging health authorities in Kentucky and across the country to end unnecessary underwear removal during surgeries where it's not required by the nature of the operation itself. Sign this petition today!