Table 1 Piece of mock surgical procedure script that should be performed in time point 60 min. The research team followed a detailed script that provided specific direction of movements and actions every 4 minutes to closely simulate an actual surgical procedure

0–4 min

1) SP performed preoperative surgical hand scrub and the CP performs only hand disinfection.

2) CP opens a disposable sterile surgical gowns and drapes package and a surgical instrument tray on a separate table from 3 back Tables.

3) SP dons surgical gown and gloves before establishing the sterile field.

4) CP places ESU and suction machine close to sterile field.

5) To prepare sterile conditions, SP drapes the unsterile surfaces of 3 back tables and Mayo stand by disposable nonwoven sterile drapes and then place the 4–6 sterile surgical instrument on each 3 back tables in line.

1 min

Decreased surgical Activity in sterile field (Resting position)

5–8 min

1) SP places instruments on the Mayo stand for passing them to the surgeon during mock surgical procedure.

2) To prepare sterile filed, SP covers total surface of OR bed by 2 sterile sheet.

3) After scrubbing, the surgeon and surgical assistance wear gown and gloves for entering the sterile filed.

4) The CP wears sterile gloves and placed 6 agar plates (4 sheep blood agar and 2 MacConkey agar plates) on each 3 back table, 1 in each corner and 2 in the middle of the table (in Group 1, we placed 18 extra agar plates on back tables that every 6 plates were related to each of time points 15, 30 and 45 min) and removed the lids.

5) Nurse anesthetist stands above the OR bed. Body movement: walking to a cabinet and back again

6) Entering and leaving CP for obtaining additional supplies and equipment or surgical instruments (2 times).

1 min

Decreased surgical activity in sterile field (Resting position)

9–12 min

1) After plates were placed on back tables in group 2 and 3, SP drapes the PSBT by the two-drape method and the novel single-drape cover, respectively. Next, CP puts 6 agar plates else on top of the drapes.

2) CP measures and records OR temperature and humidity for every experiment.

3) After covering total surface of unsterile OR bed, CP places a sausage in center of it.

4) Prep and draping the patient (a sausage) by SP

5) Entering and leaving the CP (1 time).

6) The CP opens the Bovie pencil on a sterile field

7) Passing instruments to the surgeon during mock surgical procedure

1 min

Decreased surgical activity in sterile field (Resting position)

13–16 min

1) Surgeon places the sterile active electrode tip against the sausage (Mock patient) to generate particulate tissue matter (10 second per 1 min).

2) Hand and arm movement by surgeon: continuous random finger motions close to the mock patient (1 min)

3) Hand and arm movement: Passing instruments to the surgeon during mock surgical procedure (repeated)

4) Entering and leaving the CP (1 time).

5) CP moves in OR for monitoring the sterile field and the members of the sterile team.

6) Hand and arm movement: The surgical instruments are moved between surgical field and mayo stand

1 min

Decreased surgical Activity in sterile field (Resting position)