What is gowning and gloving

Gowning and gloving is part of this technique, to help decrease the spread of pathogens. Gowns and gloves are put through an autoclave which sterilizes these objects with high temperatures and pressures.

Learning how to properly gown and glove is important in all forms of medicine to decrease the rate of infection after surgeries. Learn how to properly gown and glove in the video below, so that you can be practice surgery ready!

In some circumstances a full surgical suite may not be available, especially if you are a large animal veterinarian that performs many procedures on the farm. For circumstances like this open gloving is utilized. Disposable gowns have a left-side tie and a right-side tie, both attached to a sterile card. The left tie is released from the card, which is held by the scrub person, and the card with the right tie attached is handed out to the scout.

The scout will hold on to one side of the card while the scrub person pivots round and their back is covered. The scrubbed person releases the tie from the card and ties both ties at the side. You should be dressed appropriately to enter the operating theatre. Although this may vary from hospital to hospital, generally you must wear:.

Ensure you ask the Lead Surgeon whether or not they would mind you scrubbing in, then make your way to the scrub area. You must open your gown and gloves before you scrub , so as not to contaminate your hands:. Run the tap to an adequate temperature and flow to avoid water splashing. Then test the water before starting to scrub to ensure the temperature is comfortable. Wet the hands and arms for an initial pre-scrub wash.

Use several drops of scrub solution and work up a heavy lather , then wash the hands and arms to the elbows. Rinse the hands and arms thoroughly, allowing the water to run from the hands to the elbows.

Remove the sterile nail brush and nail pick from the opened package. Clean under the nails with the nail pick and then discard in the bin making sure not to touch the bin by using a foot-pedal. Moisten the nail brush and dispense antimicrobial solution onto the sponge-side. Lather the fingertips with sponge-side of brush, washing all four sides of the fingers. Then using the bristle side of the nail brush , scrub the spaces under the fingernails of the right or left hand.

Repeat the process on the other hand. During each of the following steps keep hands clean area above the elbows dirty area allowing water to drain away, making sure to avoid splashing surgical attire. Work the cleaning solution into the hands palm to palm , creating a lather. Rub the right palm over the back of the left and vice versa with the fingers interlaced.

Rub hands palm to palm , with fingers interlaced. Perform rotational rubbing backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of the right hand into the left palm hand and vice versa. Perform rotational rubbing of the right thumb clasped in the left hand and vice versa.

Rub the fingertips of the left hand on the palm of the right hand and vice versa. Continue with the rotating action down opposing arms , working to just below the elbows.

Rinse and repeat steps keeping hands raised above elbows at all times. The second wash should only cover two-thirds of the forearms to avoid compromising the cleanliness of the hands. Local policy may include repeating these steps a third time but to wrists only. The scrub procedure should last for 5 minutes , with further scrubs during the day lasting 3 minutes. Rinse the hands under running water, allowing the water to run from fingertips to elbows. Turn the tap off if necessary with your elbow and keep your hands up , allowing water to drip from your elbows.

Pick up one hand towel from the top of the gown pack and step back from the surface. Grasp the towel and open it fully. Do not allow the towel to touch any unsterile object or unsterile parts of your body. Hold your hands and arms above your elbow , and keep your arms away from your body. Holding one end of the towel with one hand dry the fingers of the opposite hand using a blotting rotational motion.