An infection mitigation device providing a temporary, disposable sterile barrier between a sterile field and the non-sterile, light-emitting region of surgical lightheads. A surgical team member can easily apply and remove the protective barrier when needed. The device minimizes the opportunity for biohazardous materials from being transmitted between patients, thereby reducing the chance of infection, and ultimately providing patients with improved clinical outcomes. The center region of the barrier can be adapted to receive and/or cover (partially or completely) one or more types of centrally located surgical lighthead adjustment handles. The device can be manufactured with a unitary or composite construction. Depending on the specific composition of the barrier and application, a supportive carrier device may provide additional geometric stability for the barrier while it is maneuvered into its operational location on the lighthead. The device can be configured for compatibility will all surgical lightheads and non-OEM retrofit disposable handle systems.
