Final answer:
The breach in hygiene is wearing a watch under surgical attire, as it can harbor microbes and compromise the sterile environment required for surgery. It is against the aseptic techniques advocated by the Association of Surgical Technologists to prevent infections like sepsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential breach in hygiene observed in the operating room is c) Wearing a watch under surgical attire. Operating room protocols are designed to maintain a sterile environment to prevent infections. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) advocates for strict aseptic techniques to ensure that the microbial load on a technologist's skin is reduced to minimize the risk of introducing microbes into a patient's surgical site. Personal items such as watches can interfere with the effectiveness of surgical scrubs and compromise the sterility of the environment. To maintain proper hygiene standards and aseptic conditions, personal belongings like watches should not be worn under surgical attire during procedures.
Furthermore, the requirements for rigorous handwashing for health-care workers and the maintenance of a sterile field highlight the importance of avoiding anything that could compromise the sterile environment. Aseptic technique is critical to preventing sepsis and other infections associated with surgery. The operating team must ensure that all protocols are followed, including the removal of personal items like watches, to maintain the necessary sterile conditions during medical procedures.