Sterile Dressing Changes

it will get easier the more you practice, but keep your arms above your waist, don't turn your back on the sterile field, don't cross over it. The biggest favor you can do yourself is to have everything you need in the place you need it before you begin - bed up, trash can near by, supplies gathered, be on the correct side of the patient, etc.

Find a ruthless partner that will catch any mistakes you make and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!

I failed my first check off when I did it and the best advice that I got is "Act like a Robot" Move your hands like a robot and keep them above waist at all time and just move like a robot. I guarantee that when you act like a robot you move slower and you are more aware of what you are doing and everything will fall into place. Of course PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Good Luck!

After being in the actual hospital rooms, we found it was better to set up our sterile field (when using a table) at the head of the patient's bed, rather than near their waist. It assured we didn't turn our back on the field OR the patient, and made things sooo much easier.

Also...like someone else said...get an anal-retentive partner and practice. My partner and I liked to have fun in lab (we were giggly!!) and would actually make buzzer sounds if the other crossed. It was a riot. But it put us on our toes.

We taught that to the nursing students in first semester classes now and they are loving it!

Steal the buzzer from a game of Taboo and give it to a very critical partner.

I have a lab check-off on this today! Here are some tips/hints:

* be sure to select the correct size of gloves - if they're too small, they can tear; if they're too big, you risk contamination (parts of the glove may "hang down" and can touch unsterile objects!)

* keep a trash bag close to you and not in an area where you will be reaching over your sterile field. For our test-out purposes they are having us use a brown paper bag with an inch or so of the top folded down to make a "cuff", then taped to the edge of the table.

* never turn your back on a sterile field because if you do, it becomes contaminated!

* if you are ever UNSURE, START OVER!!!!

* it helps to bring at least 2 of everything in case your field accidentally becomes contaminated or in case you need more supplies (this also saves from having to leave the room and then starting all over because you are leaving the sterile field which becomes contaminated)

* be sure to open up sterile packages - for example, a package of sterile gauze - BEFORE donning on sterile gloves because the outer part of those packages are unsterile!

* keep your hands above your waist and below your shoulders, 12in. in front of your body and clasp your hands if you aren't using them

* when opening packages with flaps, open AWAY from you first because this prevents you from reaching over your sterile field.