Surgical drapes are used in the operating room to protect patients, clinicians, and equipment. Surgical drape can provide a physical barrier to protect the surgical area from contamination. They can also be used to wrap sterile surgical instruments and cover equipment in operating rooms. After surgery, the operating room should remain sterile until the patient is transported out of the operating room. So how do you remove the surgical drape to maintain sterility?
1.Ensure that all sharp tools, instruments, and non-disposable items are removed from the surgical drape before using sterile dressings.
2.Use a saline-soaked sponge to gently clean the skin around the wound, and use a dry sponge to dry the skin. Be careful not to disrupt the wound or displace the drain pipe.
3.The surgeon applies the sterile dressing.
4.After placing the sterile dressing, the surgical drape should be removed and rolled up to ensure that the exterior is contained within itself. Surgical drapes should not be thrown into waste containers at any distance to prevent blood and body fluids from splashing onto the floor, furniture, walls, or other surgical team members.
5. The surgical drape should be placed in an impermeable bag marked with a biohazard label as contaminated hazardous waste.