Protect the sterile field.

Protection of the sterile field should include

• maintaining sterile conscience
• facing the sterile field at all times
• keeping the hands between the waist and mid-chest level
• keeping traffic to a minimum.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What is meant by sterile conscience? Why is sterile conscience the responsibility of every surgical team member?
• Why must all surgical team members face the sterile field at all times?
• How can movement within and outside the sterile field cause contamination to the sterile field?