OPEN GLOVING

PREPARATION

1. Removes jewelry and other accessories in arm and wrist.

 Jewelry harbors microorganism

2. Makes sure that there is no artificial nails, extenders, or chipped nail polish.
 Artificial nails, extenders and chipped nail polish can harbor additional microorganisms

3. Inspects hands for sores and abrasions. Reports to supervisor as required.

 Open sores can harbor microorganism

4. Ensures sleeves are at least two to three inches above the elbows.
 This steps prevents sleeves from becoming moist, and prevents the transfer of
microorganisms from the sleeves.

DONNING STERILE GLOVES

5. Performs thorough hand hygiene or handwashing or uses Alcohol-based hand rub

(ABHR).
 This step decreases the bacterial count on hands and prevents contamination of sterile
equipment.

6. Cleanses surface to open sterile field and raises its height to waist level if necessary.
 All sterile items must be kept above waist level.

7. Inspects outer packaging of gloves for sterility.

 All sterile items must be checked for sterility prior to use. Always examine sterile glove
packaging for expiry date, intactness and tears. The package should be dry. Sterile gloves
have outer packaging that must be removed prior to starting the procedure of applying sterile
gloves.

8. Opens sterile packaging by peeling open the top seam and pulling down to expose 2nd
sterile wrapper.
 Open sterile packaging without contaminating inner package.

9. Places inner package on working surface and open up to see right and left gloves.
 Open sterile packaging without contaminating inner package.

10. Starts with dominant hand first.

 Open sterile packaging without contaminating inner package.

11. Opens packaging and makes sure to maintain sterility of the gloves.
 Open sterile packaging without contaminating inner package.

12. Picks up glove for dominant hand using only thumb and index finger by grasping the
inside cuff or folded cuff edge of the glove. Makes sure not to touch the outside of the
glove.
 This step allows ease of application.
13. Makes sure not to touch the outside of the glove.
 This step allows ease of application.

14. Pulls glove completely over dominant hand, leaving cuff and being sure that it does not
roll up wrist. Makes sure that thumb and fingers are in proper spaces.
 This step allows ease of application.

15. Inserts gloved hand into the cuff of the remaining glove.
 This ensures proper fit of gloves.

16. Pulls remaining glove on non-dominant hand and inserts fingers.

 This ensures proper fit of gloves.

17. Adjusts gloves if necessary.

 This ensures proper fit of gloves.

18. Once gloves are on, interlocks gloved hands and keeps at least six inches away from
clothing, keeping hands above waist level and below the shoulders.
 This step prevents the accidental touching of non-sterile objects or the front of the gown.

DOFFING STERILE GLOVES

19. Removes gloves by grasping the outside edge of one cuff or palm with gloved hands.
Avoids touching the wrist.
 Doing this, prevents the contamination of the hand when removing glove.

20. Pulls the glove off, turning glove inside out.

 Doing this, prevents the contamination of the hand when removing glove.

21. Places and holds the removed glove in your gloved hand.
 Doing this, prevents the contamination of the hand when removing glove.

22. Takes ungloved hand, and slides an ungloved finger or thumb under the cuff of the
remaining glove.
 Doing this, prevents the contamination of the hand when removing glove.

23. Peels the glove off inside out over the previously removed glove, bagging both gloves.
 Doing this, prevents the contamination of the hand when removing glove.

24. Discards the gloves in the appropriate waste receptacle.

 This prevents cross contamination and deters the spread or microorganisms.

25. Performs hand hygiene or handwashing or hygiene after glove removal.

 This removes powder from the gloves, which can irritate the skin; it also prevents
contamination from potential pinholes in the gloves.
⦿ Persons who are sterile touch only sterile articles, person who are not sterile touch
only non-sterile articles.
⦿ If in doubt about the sterility of anything, consider it not sterile.
⦿ Non-sterile persons avoid reaching over a sterile field. Sterile persons avoid leaning
over a non-sterile area.
⦿ Tables are sterile only at the table level.
⦿ Gowns are considered sterile only from waist to shoulder level in front and the sleeves.
⦿ The edges of anything that encloses sterile contents is not considered sterile.
⦿ Sterile persons keep well within the sterile area.
⦿ Non-sterile persons keep away from sterile areas.
⦿ Sterile persons keep contact with sterile area to a minimum.
⦿ Moisture may cause contamination.

The first principle of surgical asepsis states that all materials in a sterile field must be sterile. All
objects added to your sterile field must also be sterile. If you put your hands into the sterile field,
they must be covered using sterile gloving technique and the gloves should also
begin in sterile packaging.

The second principle states that a sterile barrier that has been compromised by punctures, tears
or moisture has to be considered contaminated. If a sterile field has been set up and it is
accidentally torn, the openings can allow microorganisms to invade and contaminate.

The third principle states that once a package is opened, a 2.5 cm (1 inch) border around the
edge is considered unsterile. For example, many procedures contain setup of sterile packaging
that is opened before sterile gloves are applied. During this time the 1 inch unsterile border is the
only section that can be touched.

The fourth principle states that tables draped as part of a sterile field are considered sterile only
at the table level. Therefore the table legs, underside of the table, or any shelves below the table
level, are to be considered unsterile.

The fifth principle examines questions or doubts. It states that if there are any questions or
doubts about an object's sterility, the object should be considered unsterile.

The sixth principle states that sterile people and objects should only come into contact with
sterile fields, and unsterile people and objects should only come into contact with unsterile areas,
such as
the 2.5 cm border.

The seventh principle states that movement around or in the sterile field must not compromise or
contaminate the sterile field. While performing procedures requiring a sterile field, it is important to
remember that correct sterile technique must always be followed.

The eighth principle says that anything out of your range of vision or below waist level is
considered contaminated and unsterile. For instance, if an object is dropped below the waist, it is
no longer sterile. The backside of the body, which is out of your range of vision, is also considered
unsterile. Therefore, you should never turn your back on your sterile field and bring all tables
needed in procedures up to your waist level.

The ninth and last principle of surgical asepsis states that a sterile object or field can become
contaminated by lingering exposure to air. While performing a sterile procedure, one should stay
organized and finish the procedure as quickly as possible.9