Why are sterile items covered during storage?

Sterile items are covered during storage primarily to prevent contamination. By covering these items, healthcare facilities can create a barrier against environmental contaminants such as dust, microorganisms, and other potential sources of infection. This is crucial in maintaining the sterility of surgical instruments and supplies, which are critical for patient safety during procedures.

While extending shelf life and enhancing visibility can be beneficial aspects of covering sterile items, the main purpose remains preventing contamination. Signifying that items are in use is also important but does not pertain to the storage context in the same way. Proper storage practices are critical in ensuring that when the items are needed for surgical procedures, they are still sterile and safe for use.