I need help!!!

[Liv]

hi to all. I was just wondering if anyone can help me with two questions regarding perioperative care. I know the answer will differ with instutions but any help would be great. The questions are

How far away from the sterile field should a non-scrub person stand?

How does a non scrub person move sterile trolleys in the operating room?

Thank you

[mcmike55]

Liv

I don't have any of my surgical books handy for an "official" answer, but here's my take.

You need to stay away far enough from a sterile field so that your shirt or warm up jacket does not brush against it, or somehow, something drops from you, such as skin shedding or say your pen falls from your pocket. I have issues with our name (ID) badges that we wear around our necks. Mine is constantly trying to swing down onto the field.

When we have students in surgery, I tell them to figure about a good arms length away from the field.

As far as a non sterile person moving a sterile covered table (I think I like trolley better) the easiest way is to reach up under the drape. If that's not possible, I will sometimes push the leg of the table with my foot. But I try to not do that too often, I'm always spilling the fluids on the table.

Hope that helps.

Mike