Chapter 2: Table of Contents
Surgical Posture
Various parts of the gown are considered unsterile such as the cuff, back, neck, shoulder and underarm areas. Also considered unsterile are any parts of a gown located below the waist or 2 inches above the elbow. For this reason, it is important to keep your gloved hands close to regions that are considered sterile. Gloved hands should not be elevated close to the neck line or shoulders or placed below the waist line and underarm area.
While gowned, the surgeon generally stands. If sitting to perform a procedure, the surgeon should sit on a stool (without back support) to prevent contamination of the elbow area of the gown. Furthermore, the surgeon should prevent contamination of the elbows on the knees.
At rest, gloved hands are kept close to parts of the gown that are considered sterile. Gloved hands should not be elevated close to the neck line or shoulders or placed below the waist line and underarm area.
While gowned, the surgeon generally stands. If sitting to perform a procedure, the surgeon should sit on a stool (without back support) to prevent contamination of the elbow area of the gown. Furthermore, the surgeon should prevent contamination of the elbows on the knees.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
- Gloved hands should never drop below the level of the waist line or below the level of the draped surgery table.
- Gloved hands should never be placed close to the neck line, shoulder area or head to prevent inadvertent contamination. Hands should remain at the level of the chest (below the neck line and above the waist line).
- The underarm area of the gown is considered unsterile. Gloved hands should never be rested under the arm pit.
- While draping the patient or moving about the surgery suite, the surgeon should be careful not to contaminate the sterile gown or gloves on unsterile surfaces.
- A stool without back support will prevent contamination if the surgeon sits during a procedure. The elbows are considered sterile and the can be easily contaminated on the back of a stool.
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