Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

45

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 4-3

Preparing a Sterile Field Using a Packaged Sterile Drape

Goal:The sterile field is created without contamination and

the patient remains free of exposure to potential infection-

causing microorganisms. Comments

1. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


2. Identify the patient. Explain the procedure to the patient.


3. Check that packaged sterile drape is dry and unopened.
   Also note expiration date, making sure that the date is
   still valid.


4. Select a work area that is waist level or higher.


5. Open the outer covering of the drape. Remove sterile drape,
   lifting it carefully by its corners. Hold away from body and
   above the waist and work surface.


6. Continue to hold only by the corners. Allow the drape to
   unfold, away from your body and any other surface.


7. Position the drape on the work surface with the moisture-
   proof side down. This would be the shiny or blue side.
   Avoid touching any other surface or object with the drape.
   If any portion of the drape hangs off the work surface, that
   part of the drape is considered contaminated.


8. Place additional sterile items on field as needed. Refer to
   Skill 4-5. Continue with the procedure as indicated.


9. When procedure is completed, remove PPE, if used. Perform
   hand hygiene.

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice