# Scrubbing & Gowning

## Overview

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) during procedures includes the safe management of ‘sharps’, encompasses high-level measures such as health facility design and management, protocol-based measures such as adherence to national and facility level guidelines, and individual actions by each health care provider and ancillary staff member. The health care provider is encouraged to familiarise themselves with their facility’s specific IPC protocols and reporting systems, which is outside the scope of this module.

All clinical procedures pursue the IPC goal of asepsis. The traditional hierarchy of sterile, aseptic, and clean is outdated, poorly-defined and misleading, and is no longer recommended. This module describes how to perform surgical scrubbing, how to perform the closed gloving technique, and how to gown for theatre.

## Indications

## Contraindications

## Patient information and consent

### How do I explain this procedure?

“I need to wash my hands and dress in a gown and gloves for the operation, to create a sterile environment for your procedure.”

### What can my patient expect?

“Once I am wearing gloves and a gown, I cannot touch you apart from the cleaned site of the procedure.”

### What is my patient’s role?

“Cooperate with the anaesthetist and theatre staff who will make you comfortable and help you prepare for surgery.”

## Preparation

You must wear theatre scrubs, a hat and booties, and a plastic apron if necessary. Put on a

surgical mask

surgical mask

Ensure that your face mask is fitted correctly, applying a piece of tape over the mask at the bridge of the nose if needed to prevent fogging of your glasses or visor.

and eye protection, and remove any dangling objects such as stethoscopes and identity cards before scrubbing.

Make the theatre staff aware that you will be scrubbing in, and tell them your glove size and whether you prefer to double glove.

## Site and Positioning

Do not wear artificial nails or nail polish. To wash your arms up to your elbows, remove any jewellery or watches and roll up your sleeves if they cover your elbows.

## Scrubbing

## Gowning

## Gloving & Tying

When gloving and gowning for theatre, use the closed method to glove.

## Troubleshooting

I am unsure if I can use surgical hand rub for scrubbing.

Some theatres allow you to use surgical hand rub instead of soap and water as long as you used soap and water for your first scrub of the day. Follow the same steps as above, without using a nail brush.

I broke sterility.

Unfortunately, if you become contaminated, you may have to start over. Inform the assisting theatre nurse, who may guide you as to which parts need to be repeated.

I am unsure of my glove size.

Your glove size is roughly the measurement around the palm of your hand above your thumb in inches. Women are often a size 6-7 and men a size 7-8.

## Risks

## References