Skin is a major source of microorganisms and a major source of contamination in the OR setting.

Since skin can not be sterilized, members of the surgical team must wear sterile gloves.

All members of the sterile team are required to perform a surgical hand scrub and do sterile gown
and gloves before touching sterile equipment or the sterile field. The correct performance of these
procedures helps protect a patient from infection by preventing pathogenic (disease-producing)
microorganisms on the hands, arms, and scrub clothes of “sterile” team members from coming
into contact with a patient’s wound during an operation. Infection that may result from the
introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into a wound could prove fatal to the patient.

SURGICAL SCRUBBING

1. Description of Nursing procedure

> A surgical hand scrub is an antiseptic surgical scrub or antiseptic hand rub that is performed prior
to donning surgical attire and lasts two to five minutes, depending on the product used and hospital
policy. Studies have shown that skin bacteria rapidly multiply under surgical gloves if hands are not
washed with an antimicrobial soap, whereas a surgical hand scrub will inhibit growth of bacteria
under gloved hands.

2. Equipment

A. Medical Sink/Water sources

B. Brushes or sponge

B. Set of nail cleaner

C. Soap (Cleansing agent)

D. Sterile towel

E. Surgical Cap

F. Surgical Mask

G. Surgical shoe covers

3. Purpose/Importance

>The purpose of surgical hand scrub is to significantly reduce the number of skin bacteria found in
hands and arms of the OR staffs.

> The surgical scrubbing is an important procedure required to reduce the risk of contamination by
microorganisms during operative procedures.

>Improves patient outcomes; and this procedure should be taken seriously and always perforemed
to the highest standard.

4. Nursing Responsibilities/Rationale
  Remove bracelets, rings, and watches.
 Jewelry harbors and protects microorganisms from removal. Skin under
rings has been shown to harbor more pathogens and should not be worn
 Don surgical shoe covers, cap, scrub garments, and face mask
 To prevents exposure to blood or body fluids splashing from sterile field,
which causes risk for infection.
 Rub hands, covering all surfaces, including back of hands, fingertips and palms, washing for
at least 20-30 strokes.
 To removes gross debris and superficial microorganisms.

 Use opposite end of towel to dry other hand.

 To avoids transfer of microorganisms from elbow to opposite hand.

STERILE GOWING AND GLOVING

1. Description of Nursing procedures.

>Gowning and gloving is part of the daily routine of the CST in the OR. As required by Standard
Precautions.

>Gown and glove procedures, are performed following the surgical scrub, involve the donning of
sterile surgical gowns and gloves in such a way as to maintain the sterility of the outside of both
gown and gloves.

2. Equipment(Sterile gownng/gloving)

A. Sterile gown- are worn as a barrier to fluid and microbial transmission during surgery. It is a long
sleeves with elastic cuffs and they maintain the sterile barrier between he surgical field and the
surgeon's clothes or exposed arms.

B. Sterile gloves- are a type of disposable glove that are devoided of any germs and free from all
microorganism. It aid in the prevention of wound infection and limit the danger of blood and bodely
fluid pathogen exposure for healthcare professionals.

3. Purpose/importance

> It decrease the rate of infection after surgeries.

> It minimize risk of surgical wound, infection in patients.

> Protects surgical team from exposure to bodily fluids.

4. Nursing responsibilities and Rationale

 Opens sterile gown and glove package on a clean, dry flat surface.
 Provide sterile area for gloving.
 Lifts folded gown directly upward and steps back, away from the table.
  To prevent gown from touching unsterile
 With hands at shoulder level, slips both arms into armholes at the same time. Does not allow
hands to move through the cuff opening. Have Circulating Nurse pull gown over shoulders by
reaching inside arm seams. The gown is pulled on, leaving the sleeves covering the hands.
 Careful in application prevents contamination. Gowns covers hands to
prepare for close gloving.
 With hands covered by gown cuffs and sleeves, open inner sterile glove package.
 Sterile gown cuff will touch sterile glove surface