Surgical scrubbing, gowning and gloving - scrub/scout

Question 1

Purpose of the surgical scrub

Answer 1

Remove debris and transient micro-organisms from the hands and arms, reducing residual microbial count to a minimum and leaving an antimicrobial residue on the skin to prevent growth of micro-organisms

Question 2

Sterile areas of the gown

Answer 2

from mid chest level to the table level in the front, and from the cuff to the elbow.

Question 3

Why are gown cuffs unsterile

Answer 3

Cuffs absorb skin perspiration and must be covered with gloves once donned.

Question 4

Closed gloving

Answer 4

where hands remain inside the cuff/sleeve of the sterile gown.

Question 5

when to use open gloving

Answer 5

used when the hands are not protected by the gown cuff, when the glove is to be replaced.

Question 6

Sharps injury

Answer 6

The majority of percutaneous sharps injuries occur to surgeons during use, while injuries to nurses occur during passing, disassembling and disposal.

Question 7

Reduce risk of sharps injury

Answer 7

• minimise the risk of handling sharps
• no recapping
• single use scalpel blades discarded intact
• fully enclosed, non-slip shoes