Putting on Sterile Gloves

After putting on your gown, turn to face the scrub nurse again. She or he will hold a sterile glove open for you to slide your hand into. By convention, the right glove is offered first, and then the left glove. As the nurse holds the glove out to you, look to see where the thumb of the glove is, so you can orient your hand properly. Then push your hand down into the glove while the tech holds it for you. Once the glove is on, keep it up in front of you in the "scrubbed" position. The tech will then offer the left glove and you will put it on the same way. Don't insert your hand violently into the glove as you may tear it.

After both gloves are on, check to make sure they come high enough on your wrist to cover the white wrist-band of the gown. If not, pick up the outside of the glove and pull it higher on the gown so the white is completely covered.

The final step in putting on a gown is "turning." Turning is only done after you have your sterile gloves on. On the front of your gown, at waist level, is a flap that has been tied in place. You or the scrub tech will untie the flap and you will then turn a full circle while the tech holds onto the end of the flap. This will wrap your back with the sterile gown's flap. After "turning" you are sterile on all sides. Take the flap from the scrub tech and tie it back into your gown. You are ready for surgery.