Scrubbing in during the middle of surgery

[ppsmi]

Sometimes I need to scrub in during the middle of a surgery. The scrub tech will help me out, but sometimes the scrub tech has bloody gloves, and then hands me a towel to dry and helps me with my gloves (while the scrub tech's gloves are bloody). I know the risk of contracting any bloodborne pathogens are low, but it still seems careless to me. Does anyone have any recommendations of what I could say to the scrub tech? Or is this common practice and nothing to worry about?

Thanks.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Simple solution: open your gown and gloves on a separate table and gown and glove yourself- all of the gowns I've seen include a disposable towel within the sterile wrapper. Beyond that, if the scrub has the opportunity, ask them to change their gloves before handing you your gown. But if you're scrubbing in the middle of surgery, you need to be able to be self-sufficient and not rely on someone else to help you, especially as they are needed at the field.

[cmj806]

Why can't you gown and glove yourself? You should be able to if you're scubbing in regardless of the point in the surgery you are scrubbing in.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm also confused why you're not gloving and gowning yourself. Where I work it's an expectation if you're coming in to finish a case or relieve the scrub to bring in your own gown and gloves. Open your stuff on a separate Mayo and go from there. There shouldn't be an interruption to the field for the scrub to come help you glove and gown. If push came to shove then you can open top gloves for the scrub. Do they not double glove? We're required to and just peel off the top gloves and change those.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

I used to grab a sponge stick and pick up a towel by the corner to hand to the person who has just scrubbed in. Or a long Kelly clampí ½í¸Š