Flaps on the peel-open package should be pulled back, not torn, to expose sterile contents. Instrument trays should not touch the edge of the sterilizer.ĭ. Steam reaches only the area within the gasket of a sterilizer. The last flap is pulled toward the person opening package thereby exposing package contents away from nonsterile hands.ī.Sterile persons lift contents from packages by reaching down and lifting then straight up, holding elbows high.Ĭ. Ends of flaps are secured in hand so they do not dangle loosely.

In opening sterile packages, a margin of safety is always maintained. The following precautions should be taken:Ī. EDGES OF ANYTHING THAT ENCLOSES STERILE CONTENTS ARE CONSIDERED UNSTERILE.īoundaries between sterile and unsterile areas are not always rigidly defined, for example, the edges of wrappers on sterile packages are caps on solution bottles are unsterile. Scrub nurse stands back from nonsterile table when draping it to avoid leaning over an unsterile area.Ħ. Scrub nurse drapes a nonsterile table toward self first to protect gown. Surgeon turns away from sterile field to have perspiration removed from brow.į. Circulating nurse stands at a distance from the sterile field to adjust light over it to avoid microbial flowout over field.Į. Scrub nurse sets basins or glasses to be filled at edge of the sterile table circulating nurse stands near the edge of the table to fill themĭ. In pouring solution into sterile basin, circulating nurse holds only lip of bottle over basin to avoid reaching over sterile area.Ĭ. UNSTERILE PERSONS AVOID REACHING OVER A STERILE FIELD STERILE PERSONS AVOID LEANING OVER AN UNSTERILE AREA.Ī.Unsterile circulating nurse never reach over a sterile field to transfer sterile items.ī. Supplies for sterile team members reach them by means of the circulating nurse who opens wrapper on sterile package.ĥ. Nonsterile, circulating nurse does not directly come into contact with the sterile field.Ĭ.

Sterile team members maintain contact with sterile field by means of gowns and gloves.ī. PERSONS WHO ARE STERILE TOUCH ONLY STERILE ITEMS OR AREAS PERSONS WHO ARE NOT STERILE TOUCH ONLY UNSTERILE ITEMS OR AREA.Ī. In unfolding sterile drape, the part that drops below the table surface is not brought back up to table level.Ĥ. Scrub nurse does not touch the part hanging below the level. b.Īnything falling or extending over table edge, such as a piece suture, is unsterile. Only the top of the table with the sterile drape is considered sterile edges and sides of drape extending below table level are considered unsterile. Items dropped below waist level are considered unsterile and must be discarded.ģ. If a sterile person must stand on a platform to reach the operative filed, the area of the gown below waist must not brush against sterile tables or draped areas. Hands are never folded under arms because of perspiration in the axillary region. Hands are kept away from the face.Įlbows are kept close to sides. Sterile person keep hands in sight and at or above waist level. The following practices must be observed: a. When wearing a gown, consider only the area your can see down to the waist as the sterile area. GOWNS ARE CONSIDERED STERILE ONLY FROM THE WAIST TO SHOULDER LEVEL INFRONT AND THE SLEEVES. In sterile package falls to the floor it must be than discarded.Ģ. If sterile table or unwrapped sterile items are not under constant observation e.

If unsterile person comes into close contact with a sterile table and vice versa d. Items processed in suspect load considered unsterile. If uncertain about actual timing of operation of sterilizer. If sterilized package is found in a nonsterile workroom b. If you are in doubt about the sterility of anything consider it not sterile.Known or potentially contaminated items must not be transferred to the field, for example: a. Proper packaging, sterilizing, and handling should provide such assurance. Others, such as instruments, may be sterilized immediately proceeding the operation and removed directly from the sterilizer to the sterile tables.Įvery person who dispenses a sterile article must be sure of its sterility and of its sterile until used. Some items such as linens, sponges, or basins may be obtained from stock supply of sterile packages. ONLY STERILE ITEMS ARE USED WITHIN THE STERILE FIELD.

Four principles of asepsis