The surgical community took umbrage at the skull cap prohibition. The American College of Surgeons released a statement that “the skull cap is symbolic of the surgical profession … [it] may be worn when close to the totality of hair is covered by it,” to which the AORN responded that “wearing a particular hair covering based on its symbolism is not evidence-based … our emphasis is on patient safety.” This exchange between the AORN and ACS eventually spilled into the lay press.
