What would you do?
The nurse drops sterile forceps on the floor. She cleans them off with normal saline and places them back on the sterile field. What should have been done in this situation to keep the field from being contaminated?
The nurse should have discarded of the forceps since they were considered dirty after dropping to the floor. She should have stayed with the sterile field and request for a new set of forceps.
All items that enter the sterile field must be checked for sterility, expiration date, integrity of package and a change in external chemical indicators (if applicable)
True
What is an HAI?
A healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is an infection that patients get while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions.
Back to back
What gloving method is recommended for initial gowning & gloving during an operative or other invasive procedure
Closed assisted gloving method.
The closed glove technique should not be used when changing one or both gloves because once the hand has passed through the cuff & is considered contaminated.
You notice that a physician has just scratched their head while wearing sterile gloves. What should be done?
Inform the physician that they broke sterile technique. They must remove the old gloves and apply a new pair of sterile gloves.
The RN circulator and scrub should introduce sterile items to the field as close as possible to the time of use
True. This decreases the risk of airborne contamination from particulate matter settling on the items
What is one of the most common health-care associated infections?
Surgical site infections (SSI's)
Others are CAUTI and CLABSI
What does moisture do to a sterile field?
Contaminates the area it touches
What does sterile technique begin with?
Hand hygiene, proper surgical attire, surgical head coverings and a clean surgical mask when entering the OR suite
If a perioperative team member discovers a break in sterile technique, what corrective actions should be taken to minimize the microbial risk to the surgical patient?
Remove the contaminated item(s) and any additional items that may have come into contact with contaminated item from the sterile field, sterile team members change their gloves, report incident and increase wound class
Perioperative team members should never cover a sterile field
False: Members can use the horizontal draping technique and must maintain direct observation of the sterile field
What type of technique has been shown to reduce the risk of developing HAI's?
Proper sterile technique practices
How many inches around the sterile field is considered contaminated?
One inch
After donning sterile gloves, how should your hands be positioned when not in use?
In the front of your torso with the hands closed together. You can also hold onto your forearms.
You notice that a scrub team member reaches over the sterile field to grab a sterile gown. What should have been done to adhere to sterile technique?
Gowning off of the back table is not good sterile technique (risk for moisture on the sterile field). The field should be considered contaminated and a new sterile field should be set up. The gown for the scrubbed member should be opened away from the sterile field
If a scrubbed team member reaches above their head or their hands fall below their waist, this is considered NOT sterile.
True: Keeping the hands above the waist and below the shoulders prevents the accidental touching of non-sterile objects or the front of the gown
Is sterile technique in the operating room more important than sterile technique at the bedside?
No, sterile technique is important in any situation that requires it. Appropriately applying it can reduce a patient's risk for developing an HAI.
What should be done if the sterile field is set up and a hole is found in the back table drape?
Break the entire set down
During the surgical hand scrub, where should the staff members hands be to prevent bacteria-laden soap and water from contaminating the hand
The team member must keep the hands higher than the arm at all times.
The nurse is unsure if another nurse may have touched the sterile field without sterile gloves. What should be done in this situation?
The nurse should replace the sterile field any time there is a doubt in sterility.
If you think it is contaminated...IT IS
Handwashing is one of the most effective preventative measures with reducing HAI's. Handwashing should be performed before every sterile procedure.
TRUE!
What are a few problems surgical site infections can cause either in healthcare or for patients
Increased infections, hospital stays, medical costs, antibiotic use, death.
The nurse grabs a bottle of sterile water and places it on the sterile field. Is this appropriate? If not, explain why.
This is not appropriate. Although the contents in the bottle is considered sterile, the bottle itself is not considered sterile. Only sterile items can be placed on the sterile field.
How should a wrapped instrument tray be opened?
Open the farthest flap first away from you, then each side flap and then the nearest flap towards you.
Never reach over a sterile tray.