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The Patient

Unit 5: Preparation for Surgery

Topic 4: The "Sterile Field"

Once the patient is adequately draped, the instrument table containing the opened tray of instruments can be placed over, or immediately adjacent to the surgery table creating a "sterile field" which also includes the surgical team members.

The front of the surgeon's gown from mid chest to table level and the sleeves from above the elbow to the gloved finger tips are considered sterile.

Care must be taken not to invade this sterile field by non-sterile individuals or non-sterile equipment.