When should a scrub nurse wear gloves in relation to procedure setup?

A scrub nurse should wear gloves before setting up procedures to maintain a sterile field and prevent the introduction of contaminants. Wearing gloves at the start of the setup ensures that any instruments, drapes, or other sterile supplies handled are not contaminated by ungloved hands.

Gloves are crucial in maintaining asepsis, which is essential in surgical settings. By donning gloves prior to touching anything that will come into contact with the patient or sterile instruments, the scrub nurse helps to uphold the integrity of the surgical environment. This practice is a standard protocol in the operating room to safeguard patient safety and reduce the risk of surgical site infections.

Setting up procedures without gloves could pose a risk of transferring pathogens from non-sterile surfaces to the surgical instruments or field, compromising the procedure's safety. Thus, wearing gloves before the procedure setup is an important step in infection control practices adhered to by surgical teams.