DMS 201- Unit 2

Contaminated

If sterility is uncertain, treat the item or field as ____________

Physical contact

Mode of contamination where non-sterile touches sterile

• Punctured glove, circulator contact

Moisture droplets

Mode of contamination where respirations, masks, and perspiration carries organisms

Airborne contamination

Mode of contamination where dust and particles circulate and settle

Hematogenous

Contamination where it originates from patient’s circulating blood

Resident flora

Flora normally present below skin surface, sebaceous glands and hair follicles

• Usually harmless to host

• May be pathogenic to others

Transient flora

Flora present on the epidermis, acquired by contact

• Easily removed by scrubbing

• Key largest of hygiene

Transient

__________ flora is more easily removed by handwashing

Head covering

OR attire that contains hair and skin shedding

Mask

OR attire that reduces respiratory droplets

Scrubs

OR attire that protects from microbial transfer

Eye protection

OR attire that protects eyes from splashes

Gloves

OR attire that protects the hands, selected for the task

Footwear covers

OR attire that reduces transfer, protects feet

On, off

A mask is either ___ or _____, it is not to be around the neck

Nonsterile

Wet = __________

Personal hygiene things to be aware of in the OR

• Hair cleanliness

• Short, unpolished nails

• No heavy makeup or fragrances

• No jewelry

• Clean eyeglasses

• NO illness allowed

Sterile team members

Team that maintains sterile technique throughout the procedure

Sterile gown

Sterile from front of chest to sterile field level

• Back of this is considered nonsterile

• Sleeve sterile from 2 in. above elbow to cuff

Sterile tables

Only the top of the table surface is considered sterile

• Items extending below table level are contaminated

• Dropped edges/drapes are not sterile

Sterile to sterile rule

Sterile team members touch only sterile items or areas

• Assigned sterile and nonsterile teams

Package integrity

Sterile wrappers must remain intact, moisture can cause strike through contamination

• Punctures, tears, or wet areas compromise sterility

Field created close to use

Sterile supplies opened as close to the procedure as possible

• DO NOT leave sterile fields unattended

• Prolonged exposure to air increases contamination risk

Face the sterile field

Scrubbed personnel face the sterile field

• Turning back is no bueno

• Sterile members either pass front to front or back to back

Sterile items above the waist

Sterile items must remain in sight

• Items below the waist are considered contaminated

Minimize airborne contamination

Keep doors closed and limit unnecessary traffic

• Reduce air currents around sterile fields

Minimize talking and movements

Talking creates respiratory droplets

• Movements increase airborne particles

• Keep activity around the field purposeful

Recognize and report contamination

If a break occurs you acknowledge and correct the problem immediately

• Patient safely depends on surgical conscience

Contaminate

Reaching over the sterile field can _____________ it. DONT DO IT.

Splashing

Pouring sterile solutions need to be done slowly to prevent __________ or spilling

Sterile person draping

Opens drape towards themselves, protects the gown

• Opens sides

• Drapes far side last making sure hands are protected inside the drape

Nonsterile person draping

Opens and drapes far side

• Opens sides

• Drapes near side last

• NEVER reaches over the sterile pack