Sterile Procedures

LESSON 4: Procedures Used in Wound Care

4-12

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4-12. PREPARE PATIENT AND MATERIALS

a. Assemble Equipment and Supplies. Obtain a sterilized prep set. Place set near work area so that it can be reached easily. The contents of the set may vary, but should include the following items:

(1) Sponge basin.

 

(2) Solution cup.

 

(3) Gauze pads.

 

(4) Asepto syringe.

 

(5) Safety razor and blade.

 

(6) Sterile water or sterile saline solution.

 

(7) Povidone-iodine (Betadine) solution.

 

(8) Protective pad (Chux if available).

 

(9) Sterile gloves in appropriate sizes.

 

(10) Basin (such as emesis basin).

b. Prepare the Patient.

(1) Explain procedure to the patient to ensure understanding and cooperation.

 

(2) Position patient as indicated by physician or supervisor.

 

(3) Place protective pad under area to be treated.

 

(4) Secure patient to table or litter by using litter straps or other suitable restraints, if needed.

 

(5) Provide privacy by closing the door, pulling the curtain, or screening the treatment area, if possible.

 

(6) Expose the site of the injury by removing or cutting away clothing, bandages, and dressings. Do not expose any more of the patient's body than is necessary.

(a) Use blunt-tipped bandage scissors to cut away clothing and bandages.

 

(b) If bandage or dressing is stuck, loosen it by moistening it with sterile saline.

(7) Focus light on area to be treated.

c. Wash Hands. Perform a patient care handwash.

d. Prepare the Sterile Field.

(1) Remove caps and stoppers from solution bottles.

 

(2) Open the prep set.

(a) Open outer wrapper with bare hands.

 

(b) Glove one hand and use that hand to open inner wrapper. Do not touch any unsterile item with gloved hand. Keep your gloved hand above work surface.

 

(c) Using your ungloved hand, pick up the sterile solution bottle and pour small amount of solution into a trash receptacle.

 

(d) Pick up the sterile basin with your gloved hand, step back from the sterile field, and pour the sterile solution into the basin. (The bottle is still held in the ungloved hand.)

 

(e) Return the basin to the sterile field and replace cap on bottle. (Use ungloved hand to replace cap.)

 

(f) Using your ungloved hand, pour povidone-iodine into solution cup (bottle held in ungloved hand); then replace cap.

 

(g) Glove bare hand.

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