I&D...sterile procedure?

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I work for an urgent care facility and cannot locate an exact policy on this scenario. Patient comes in with cyst, doctor performs I&D for culture. I&D tray is set up using sterile technique. Sterile field, all instruments are sterile from autoclaver. Doc says he does not need sterile gloves because "this isn't a sterile procedure." I'm a little skeptical of this practice. Can someone with more experience please give me their opinion? Thanks

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
Sterile gloves protect the patient, not the provider. It would be a costly and strange utilization of resources to don sterile gloves every time you worked with a patient on contact precautions.

Basically, if it's good enough for cleaning C. diff, it'll be ok for an I&D.

Considering the regularity with which gloves tear or develop holes, I don't personally consider them good enough for C. difficile or blood. If I consider there to be a significant likelihood of coming in contact, I double- or even triple-glove... or break out my own thick nitriles... or the long, thick chemo nitriles.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I've probably done hundreds of I&Ds in the clinic and at bedside. I always double glove for I&Ds, but with clean not sterile gloves.

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Specializes in Surgery.
I do! Lol. Been known to throw in a "golly gee" from time to time. It keeps me from cussing in front of people who would find it objectionable. :D

My personal favorite "go to" phrase in company of both mixed and new, unknown construct is "Jimminy Christmas!!" Never fails to get a smile, a giggle or at least a grin out of somebody! :yes:

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