Techniques for Using Sterile Materials and Instruments PDF

Techniques for using sterile materials and instruments NUNU KHORAVA  Definition: Methods by which contamination with microorganism is prevented to maintain sterility throughout the surgical procedure. Sterile technique prevents the transfer of microorganism into...

Techniques for using sterile materials and instruments NUNU KHORAVA  Definition: Methods by which contamination with microorganism is prevented to maintain sterility throughout the surgical procedure. Sterile technique prevents the transfer of microorganism into body tissue during invasive procedure.  Only sterile items are used within sterile field: Sterile instrument set, drapes, sponges and basin are obtained by sterile field and used only sterile field. Unsterile instruments such as instruments, gown, glove, should not reach sterile field.  Sterile person are gowned and gloved: Gowns are considered sterile only from the chest to the level of the sterile field in the front, and from 2 inches above the elbows to the cuffs on the sleeves. When wearing a gown, only the area that can be seen in front down to the level of the sterile field should be considered sterile.  Tables are sterile only at table level: Only the top of the sterile, draped table is considered sterile. The edges and sides of the drape extending below table level are considered contaminated. Anything falling or extending over the table or operating bed edge, such as a piece of suture or suction tip is contaminated.  Sterile person touch only sterile items or ares: Sterile team members maintain contact with the sterile field by means of sterile gowns and gloves. Sterile team or member touch only sterile surface.  Unsterile person avoid reaching over the sterile field: The unsterile circulating nurse never reaches over a sterile field to transfer sterile items. The circulating nurse holds only the lip of the bottle over the basin when pouring solution into a sterile basin to avoid reaching over a sterile area.  The edges of anything that encloses sterile contents are considered unsterile: Draping large unsterile table, scrub person holds sterile fan-folded table drape high and drops it on the center of table, standing back from table to protect gown. When opening sterile packages, a margin of safety is always maintained, the inside of a wrapper is considered sterile to within 1-2 inches of the edges.  The sterile field is created as close as possible to the time of use: Sterile table are set up just before the surgical procedure. It is virtually impossible to uncover a table of sterile contents without a potential for contamination. It is not appropriate to set up a room and leave it unattended.  Sterile area are continuously kept in view: Inadvertent contamination of sterile areas must be readily visible. Sterile personnel face sterile area. Someone must remain in the room to maintain vigilance when sterile packs are opened in a room or a sterile field.  Sterile person keep well within the sterile area: Sterile person stand back at a safe distance from the operating bed when draping the patient. Sterile person pass each other back to back at a 360 degree turn. Sterile person stay within the sterile field. They do not walk around or go outside the room.  Sterile person keep contact with sterile areas to a minimum: Sterile person do not lean on the sterile tables or on the draped patient. Sitting or leaning against an unsterile surface is a break in the technique.  Unsterile person avoid sterile areas: Unsterile person maintain an awareness of sterile, unsterile, clean, and contaminated areas and their proximity to each. Unsterile person maintain a distance of at least 1 foot (30cm) from any area of the sterile field. Unsterile person face and observe a sterile area when passing it to be sure they do not touch it.