FUNCTION:  Surveillance, Prevention, Control of Infection

 

TITLE:  Gowning for Procedures

_________________________________________________________________

 

PURPOSE:

 

To provide guidelines to O.R. personnel for the proper methods of gowning.

 

POLICY:

 

In the process of gowning, the following procedures will be followed in order

to maintain sterility of gown.

 

PROCEDURE:

 

1.   The Registered Nurse or Technician will adhere to the following

     procedures:

 

     a.   Grasp the towel by one corner, permitting it to unfold.  NOTE: 

          Bending slightly forward from the waist helps to prevent

          contamination of the lower end of the towel from the clothing.

 

     b.   Dry one hand, starting from the fingers and working up to the elbow.

 

     c.   Grasp the lower end of the towel with the dried hand, dry fingers of

          second hand, and work up to elbow.

 

     d.   Take care to prevent contamination of towel and hand.

 

     e.   Discard towel.

 

     f.   Grasp the sterile gown at the bottom fold, hold it away from the

          body and allow it to unfold with the inside of the gown toward the

          wearer.

 

     g.   Slip hands into sleeves with the hands held outward.

 

2.   The Circulating Nurse will be responsible for the following actions:

 

     a.   Reach inside the gown, pull the inside sleeve seam.

 

     b.   Tie the back of gown, touching only the ties and outer edges of the

          gown.

 

     c.   Assist other scrub personnel to gown and glove.