b. The specialist must make specific preparation before he begins to scrub.
Such preparation, which is necessary to further eliminate factors of contamination, is
discussed in paragraphs 1-4 through 1-9.
c. For the specialist to perform the scrub most effectively, certain features and
equipment should be available in the scrub rooms within the surgical suite (see
paragraph 1-10).
1-4.
FINGERNAILS
The specialist should keep his fingernails short enough so that they are not
visible over the tips of the fingers. Short nails are easy to clean and, if kept smooth, will
not puncture gloves. Nails should be free of polish.
1-5.
JEWELRY
The specialist is to remove all jewelry from his hands and arms. He may pin
these items in a pocket of his scrub suit. Bacteria and dead skin cells accumulate
beneath watches, bracelets, and rings.
1-6.
SCRUB SUIT
a. The specialist is to don a clean, short-sleeved cotton scrub suit each day
before entering the semi-restricted/restricted areas of the surgical suite. Street clothes
or hospital uniforms are never worn in these areas. The scrub suit should cover all
other clothing such as undergarments. The scrub shirt must be tucked into the trousers
to avoid contamination by the shirt tail flapping on a sterile field. The trouser legs
should not touch the floor as this may transport bacteria from one place to another.
b. The specialist assigned to scrub should adjust the sleeves of his scrub suit
to at least four inches above his elbows.
1-7.
SHOES
a. Ideally, the specialist should keep a pair of shoes for wear in the surgical
suite only and he should keep these shoes clean. Shoe soles are a source of gross
contamination and of cross infection from one area of the hospital to another.
b. Street shoes (military low-quarters and/or nursing white shoes) are never
worn in the restricted areas of the surgical suite unless shoe covers are placed over
them. Shoe covers should be worn on a single-use basis. They must be removed on
leaving the restricted area and a fresh pair put on before reentrance to that area.
c.
Local policy governs the wearing of the scrub suit shoes and shoe covers.
MD0933
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