Assisting, scrubbing, and gloving Flashcards
what does the sterile assistant do?
set up the sterile field, anticipate and readily pass needed instruments to surgeon, keep sterile zone organized and instruments clean, cut suture, hold retractors, hemostasis (gauze, hemostats, cautery), lavage and suction, maintain sterility and note contamination, count gauze, must always face sterile field or other sterile personnel
what does the non-sterile assistant do?
the runner
sets up OR, open sterile items, assist anesthetist, assure equipment is properly functioning, quickly and dependably retrieve necessary materials/ instruments required, can’t lean, reach over, or touch sterile fields
what does the anesthetist do?
focus on anesthesia, analgesia, and patient
why do we scrub in?
to remove dirt and decrease the concentration of bacterial flora on hands and arms
what do you do before scrubbing in?
put surgical attire on (except gown and gloves), remove all jewelry from arms and hands, no chipped nail polish or long/ fake nails, go to the bathroom, eat, drink water, if not feeling well communicate to team
technique scrubbing method
specific counted brush technique
contact time scrubbing method
scrubbing method should reach the minimum contact time depending on what antiseptic you use
what to do when you are scrubbed in?
don’t lock your knees, shift your weight around, you can lean somewhat on sterile field, put hands down but not below waist, relax shoulders, breathe, communicate
how do you scrub in?
use disposable brush prepared with antiseptic scrub or reusable sterilized brush and antiseptic scrub dispensed by a container with a foot pedal
hands held above level of elbows so gravity can pull everything away from your hands and towards your elbows
scrub in prep
tuck in scrub top, wash hands and arms (can use regular soap), thoroughly dry hands
purpose is to remove gross contaminants
counted brush strokes technique
- pick nails
- scrub starting at fingertips and work your way towards elbows
fingertip: 20 times
each finger surface: 10 times
palm and back of hand: 20 times each
each arm surface: 10 times - rinse with water running down arms towards elbows
how do you dry your hands and arms after scrubbing?
- pick up towel
- being careful and aware of surroundings shake it open gently
- dry 1 hand from fingertips towards elbows
- with 1 hand grab bottom dry side of the towel, rotate and dry remaining wet hand
- drop towel
how do you scrub in with the waterless method?
used for when going from one surgery to another or if you needed to run out for something and are coming back in
use sterillium which is a type of waterless hand antiseptic, less traumatic than usual scrub in method, hands must be clean and dry before application
how do you remove contaminated gloves?
they are removed by a non-sterile assistant
they will pinch cuff through glove and pull sleeve over hand while pulling glove off
when is open gloving done?
for minor procedures
