Sterile Procedures
LESSON 3: Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Technique
3-3
3-3. CREATING A STERILE FIELD
A sterile field is a work surface area prepared to hold sterile equipment during a sterile technique procedure. The sterile field provides an area in which sterility is continually maintained. The procedures for establishing a sterile field are given below.
a. Obtain the necessary equipment and supplies. All articles required for the procedure, which will be within the sterile field must be sterile.
b. Perform patient care handwash.
c. Locate a suitable surface. Set up the field on a surface that is clean, flat, dry, and free from drafts.
d. Create a sterile field using one of the two methods given below.
(1) Preferred method. The preferred method is to use a double-wrapped sterile package. Do not let your hands pass over the sterile field or the wrapped sterile object while you are establishing the field.
(a) Lay the package so that the flaps are on top (figure 3-1).
Figure 3-1. Flaps on top.
(b) Open the outer layer, usually a paper or plastic cover. This layer forms a barrier between the work surface and the inner wrapper.
(c) Open the inner wrapper.
1 Using one hand lift the distal flap up and away from the package (figure 3-2). Let this flap drop gently.
Figure 3-2. Distal flap.
2 Open the left flap (figure 3-3).
Figure 3-3. Left flap.
3 Open the right flap (figure 3-4).
Figure 3-4. Right flap.
4 Then, open the near flap (figure 3-5).
Figure 3-5. Near flap.
5 Open the wrapper so your hand and arm do not pass over any part of the inside of the wrapper that has been exposed.
(d) Use the inside of inner wrapper as the sterile field. The object that was wrapped is now located inside a sterile field and is removed from the sterile field using sterile technique.
(2) Alternate method. Obtain package of sterile drapes or towels. Create a sterile field by opening the sterile drapes or towels in the same manner as a double-wrapped sterile package. The inside of the sterile drapes or towels form the sterile field.
CAUTION: Do not contaminate sterile field by reaching over or across it. Talk only if necessary around a sterile field to prevent the spread of bacteria. Consider an article contaminated if you have doubts about its sterility.
