(2) The scrub, coordinating his activities with those of the circulator, is to
follow an established routine in preparing the sterile setup. Following this routine serves
several purposes. It enables the scrub to save time and effort, thereby reducing his
fatigue. In addition, when the established routine is known and practiced by all, a scrub
can be relieved at any point in the procedure without delaying the case and thus
endangering the patient. Again, the order in which the tasks are performed is
somewhat flexible, but, in general, the sequence in the following paragraphs is used.
b. The scrub is a sterile member of the operating room team, so from the time
the scrub starts the surgical scrub until the operation is completed and the dressings
applied, there is a division between the duties of the scrub and circulator which neither
may cross. While there is a definite division of duties, they must cooperate so that the
operating suite functions efficiently and will serve the patient's best interests.
3-10.
PREPARATION OF THE OPERATING ROOM
a. The scrub will also check the operating room schedule for the day and will
correctly don hat, scrub suit, and mask in preparation for his duties.
b. The scrub will obtain the surgeon's preference card and check the suture
that is required for each case.
3-11.
SCRUB
a. While the circulator is checking the equipment and getting the room in
order, the scrub does a complete scrub in accordance with local policy. Procedures for
a complete surgical scrub are covered in Subcourse MD0933, Scrub, Gown, and Glove
Procedures.
b. Following the surgical scrub, you will don a sterile gown and gloves. These
procedures were also covered in Subcourse MD0933, Scrub, Gown, and Glove
Procedures. After donning the gown and gloves, you must be careful not to touch the
gown except for the portion above the waist in front. Do not touch the parts of the gown
at or near the neckband and do not touch the axillary (underarm) regions as these parts
of the gown are not considered sterile.
NOTE: The illustrations used in this subcourse show the use of disposable drapes,
gowns, towels, etc. The narrative will discuss the procedures using disposables. At
various places in the text, a discussion of how muslin drapes and towels are used and
handled for a particular procedure will be presented.
MD0935
3-15