Sterile technique is used to prevent contamination of the surgical site, which reduces the risk of infection and promotes better healing outcomes.
A sterile object is considered contaminated if it falls below waist level because it can come into contact with unsterile surfaces, increasing the risk of contamination.
Hand hygiene before a surgical scrub involves washing hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap to remove transient microorganisms and reduce resident microorganisms, ensuring the highest level of asepsis.
A dropped instrument is considered contaminated and must be removed from the sterile field. A sterile replacement should be used to maintain aseptic conditions.
The duration of surgery is a significant factor because longer surgeries increase the patient’s exposure to potential contaminants, elevating the risk of infection. Adherence to strict infection control protocols helps mitigate this risk.
