gowning and gloving technique

[isabing]

I work in a large OR (24 rooms). We have had an influx of new and traveling techs and RNs recently. Most of our employees have never worked anywhere else. There have been some heated discussions about gowning and gloving. My question: Is it acceptable to open your gloves on top of your gown before going out to scrub, or should you just open your gown and have someone else give you your gloves after you put your gown on?

Lisa

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

I'm of the "Gloves on top, slide gown out from under" camp.

[insa]

Gloves on top of gown, slide towel and gown out. The rule that was stressed when I was learning was that you can't put your gloves or gown on the sterile field with other supplies. They must be on their own surface, and the gown wrapper then becomes your mini-field for picking up the towel (if needed), gown, and gloves.

[CheesePotato, BSN, RN]

Greetings, all.

Per the standards and practices of AORN, which many hospitals have adapted in some form or another to be integrated in various policies, etc:

"Scrubbed personnel should don sterile gowns and gloves from a sterile area away from the main instrument table to prevent contamination of the sterile field."

I.E. Gown and gloves on a mayo, prep stand.

It seems, from reading other responses, that this is a relatively common practice. And, as one who has seen a field contaminated to hell and back by a flailing scrub tech, I couldn't agree more.

For the record, I was not primary circulator in the room....just happened to wander in to offer a break at a....erm...shall we say "interesting" moment. And yes, I ripped my mask off, licked my finger and touched the field, just to be sure the scrub understood the level of contamination.

No patients were harmed in the making of my self satisfied, smart-ass moment.

Peace.