How should a sterile gown be maintained to prevent breach of sterility?

• A. Touching non-sterile surfaces to adjust the gown is allowed.
• B. Leaning over the sterile field is acceptable.
• C. Keep hands above waist/chest, avoid touching non-sterile surfaces, and never reach across sterile field.
• D. Drape gown across sterile area.

Answer: (C)

Maintaining sterility hinges on keeping your hands and arms within the sterile zone and avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces. Keeping the hands above the waist and chest positions them in the sterile field and helps prevent brushing against contaminated fabrics or items. Touching non-sterile surfaces can deposit microorganisms onto gloves or the gown, breaking the sterile barrier. Never reach across the sterile field, because reaching over can transfer contaminants and disrupt the arrangement of sterile items and drapes. Leaning over the sterile area also increases the chance of contamination from hair, skin, or clothing. Draping the gown across a sterile area would place a non-sterile surface into contact with the sterile field, creating contamination. So the safest practice is to keep hands in front, above the waist/chest, avoid non-sterile contact, and never extend across the sterile field.