What is required for maintaining a sterile field setup?

Maintaining a sterile field requires constant monitoring to ensure that sterility is upheld throughout the procedure. An individual must be vigilant for any breaches in the sterility of instruments, surfaces, or personnel, as even minor disruptions can lead to contamination and compromise patient safety. This involves regularly checking the integrity of sterile packages, ensuring that sterile drapes remain in position, and monitoring the movement of non-sterile individuals in proximity to the sterile field.

While having a sterile person on the field and ensuring that items are appropriately managed contribute to maintaining sterility, the overarching priority is the active and continual monitoring of the environment. No single element guarantees sterility; it is the collective effort to watch and manage the sterile field that maintains it effectively throughout a procedure.