[SWAT_RN]

Someone help me understand this please! We are to follow the "new" maximal barrier precautions when inserting PICCs, full sterile head to toe drape for the pt., sterile gown, gloves, head cover and mask for the person placing the line. And we thought and were told we were wrong, that the second person (our circulator, per se) was fine with a head cover and mask since they often need to assist with pt. positioning, comfort and "gofering" prn. No, the ptb say that second person also must wear a sterile gown and gloves. And if they need to move the pt., touch the pt. or gofer stuff, then they must change out gloves.

Now, in OR, in the cath lab this isn't happening. We still have a scrub (sterile) and a circulator (clean). Why the double standard?
Add to this that most of these placements are done at bedside with the typical beside traffice and clutter to contend with.

Thanks in advance!

[iluvivt]

This is my interpretation of what I have read. If the assistant will enter the sterile field they must put all the garb ( mask,sterile gown,sterile gloves and hair cover or cap). If they are assisting in a way that requires them to run and get supplies,add to the sterile field,but not enter it, reassure patient hand over the Ultrasound probe and other tasks they can wear a mask and head cover. If they need to reach across the field or into for some reason they need to garb up. There is no way the assistant can start out sterile...then grab something unsterile ...then get re-sterile...you would be taking gloves,gowns etc off and on and generally driving yourself crazy. Our PICC assistant stays unsterile and is the gofer and should need arise (ie. insertor needs help with the stick) then they need to garb up. I will check into this. I have also read somewhere that when inserting dialysis catheters both should wear everything. I will check into this again and see what else I can find