BASIC GUIDELINES FOR MAINTAINING SURGICAL ASEPSIS

1. All materials in contact with the surgical wound or used within the field must be sterile. Sterile surfaces or articles may touch other sterile surfaces or articles may touch other sterile surfaces or articles and remain sterile; contact with unsterile objects at any point renders a sterile area contaminated. 2. Gowns of the surgical team are considered sterile in front from the chest to the level of the sterile field. The sleeves are alsoconsidered sterile from 2 inches above the elbow to the stockinettte cuff. 3. Sterile drapes are used ot create a sterile field. Only the top surface of a draped table is considered sterile. During draping of a table or patient, the sterile drape is held well above the surface to be coveredand is positioned from front to back. 4. Items are dispensed to a sterile field by methods that preserve the sterility of the items and the integrity of the sterile field. After a sterile package is opened, the edges are considered unsterile. Sterile supplies, including solutions, are delivered to a sterile field or handed to a scrubbed person in such a way that the sterility of the object or fluid remains intact. 5. The movements of the surgical team are from sterile to sterile areas and from unsterile to unsterile areas. Scrubbed people and sterile items contact only sterile areas; circulating nurses and unsterile items contact only unsterile areas. 6. Movements around a sterile field must not cause contamination of the field. Sterile areas must be kept in view during movement around the area. At least a 1ft distance from the sterile field must be maintained to prevent inadvertent contamination. 7. Whenever a sterile barrier is breached, the area must be considered contaminated. A tear or puncture of the drape permitting access to an unsterile surface underneath renders the area unsterile. Such a drape must be replaced. 8. Every sterile field is constantly monitored and maintained. Items of doubtful sterility are considered unsterile. Sterile fields are prepared as close as possible to time of use.