Figure 3-5. Near flap.
5 Open the wrapper so your hand and arm do not pass over any
part of the inside of the wrapper that has been exposed.
(d) Use the inside of inner wrapper as the sterile field. The object that
was wrapped is now located inside a sterile field and is removed from the sterile field
using sterile technique.
(2) Alternate method. Obtain package of sterile drapes or towels. Create a
sterile field by opening the sterile drapes or towels in the same manner as a double-
wrapped sterile package. The inside of the sterile drapes or towels form the sterile field.
CAUTION:
Do not contaminate sterile field by reaching over or across it. Talk only if
necessary around a sterile field to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Consider an article contaminated if you have doubts about its sterility.
3-4.
ADDING STERILE OBJECTS TO A STERILE FIELD
Once the sterile field has been established, you may need to place other objects
inside the sterile field. Follow these steps to add sterile items to a sterile field without
contaminating the object or the field. The area within one inch of the edge of the
wrapper is considered to be contaminated. A sterile article that touches this area is
contaminated and should be discarded.
a. Hold the sterile package in one hand with the flaps up. This is done away
from the sterile field.
b. Grasp the outside edges of the sterile wrapper with your free hand. This
protects the sterility of package contents.
MD0540
3-5