Sterility and Sterile Fields

Introduction

• Presenter: Meris
• Focus: Sterility and sterile fields
• Reference: Fundamentals of Nursing flashcards (starting at card #53)

Indications for Sterile Fields

• Used for sterile procedures only, not every patient interaction
• Examples of sterile procedures:
  • Starting a central or PICC line
  • Inserting a urinary catheter
  • Tracheostomy care
  • Any surgical procedure
• Non-sterile activities:
  • Passing medications
  • Taking vital signs

Medical Asepsis vs. Surgical Asepsis

• Medical Asepsis:
  • Prevent pathogen transmission
  • Includes handwashing, wearing clean gloves (referred to as medical asepsis)
• Surgical Asepsis:
  • Strict sterile procedure to prevent pathogen transmission

Best Practices for Maintaining a Sterile Field

• Never turn back on a sterile field: Ensures nothing contaminates it
• Hands must remain above the waist: Sterile gloves are non-sterile below waist
• Avoid reaching over the sterile field with non-sterile items
• Avoid talking, coughing, or sneezing over the field
• Ensure everything on the field is intact: Check sterile packaging
• One-inch border: Considered non-sterile around the sterile field
• Moisture contamination: Any wet object or area is non-sterile

Preparing a Sterile Field

• Positioning of the package:
  • Open the topmost flap away from body first, sides next, and nearest flap last
• Pouring sterile solutions:
  • Place cap with inside facing up on a non-sterile surface
  • Hold bottle with palm over the label to prevent obscuring it
  • Pour from about two inches above to prevent splashing
  • Pour slowly

Tips and Practice

• Practice is necessary to develop muscle memory
• Consider practicing hand positioning around the house

Conclusion

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