What are Common Mistakes in Maintaining a Sterile Field?
Several common mistakes can compromise the sterile field:
- Touch Contamination: Accidentally touching non-sterile items or surfaces with sterile gloves. - Breaks in Technique: For example, reaching across the sterile field or allowing non-sterile items to come into contact with sterile areas. - Inadequate Hand Hygiene: Skipping steps or not thoroughly washing hands can introduce microorganisms. - Improper Storage: Storing sterile supplies in a non-sterile environment can lead to contamination.
