1. All objects used in a sterile field must be sterile.
When opening sterile equipment and adding supplies
2. A sterile object becomes non-sterile when touched by a
non-sterile object.
3. Sterile items that are below the waist level, or items
held below waist level, are considered to be non-sterile.
4. Sterile fields must always be kept in sight to be
considered sterile.
8. If there is any doubt about the sterility of an object, it
is considered non-sterile.
9. Sterile persons or sterile objects may only contact
sterile areas; non-sterile persons or items contact only
non-sterile areas.
10. Movement around and in the sterile field must not
compromise or contaminate the sterile field.
5.
to a sterile field, take care to avoid contamination.
6. Any puncture, moisture, or tear that passes through a
sterile barrier must be considered contaminated.
7. Once a sterile field is set up, the border of one inch at
the edge of the sterile drape is considered non-sterile.
SCRUB NURSE
Prepare patients for surgery
Review patient charts and confirm data
Ensure medical equipment needed for surgery is available
Follow surgeon's directions
Pass medical equipment/s to the surgeon
Monitor patient's condition during surgery
 CIRCULATING NURSE
Surgeon—Physician who performs the surgical procedure.
Review assessments of patients prior to the operation
Obtain medical equipment that's in sterile packaging
Open the sterile packaging
Surgeon assistant—Physician who works alongside the surgeon
Make notes about procedures followed
as needed to aid with the surgical procedure.
Assist all staff present
Determine how patients will be cared for

Circulating nurse—RN outside the sterile field who supervises

the equipment, sponge count, personnel, supplies, and sterile
field and also documents the procedure.
 Surgical technologist—An allied healthcare professional who
RN First Assistant—RN who plays a hands-on role in surgical functions as a scrub nurse but without administering

procedures by controlling bleeding, suturing incisions and medications

wounds and intervening if complications arise at the Anesthesiologist/nurse anesthetist—Physician/nurse who

operating table. administers anesthesia and monitors the patient throughout
the surgical procedure

OR aide—Aide who obtains equipment and supplies from

Scrub nurse—RN/LPN at the operating table, part of the
outside the operating room, as needed Vendors—Outside
sterile field, who assists the surgeon and anticipates
agency staff that provide products, services, and/or equipment
his/her needs

Surgical technologist—An allied healthcare professional

who functions as a scrub nurse but without administering
medications