My PICC team routinely covers our procedure table with a sterile drape while waiting for the patient to arrive in the procedure room (work in a pediatric facility). We set up the table, cover it with sterile drape, and bring in the pt to set up the arm on the board and sedate them if needed. We then uncover the table and perform the procedure. We again cover the table with a sterile drape while getting xray confirmation (site is covered with sterile towel for xray). We then uncover table and dress the picc. So.....an OR employee has brought it to my attention that it is against standard practice to cover table and sterile supplies with sterile drape. Has anyone heard of this practice? What do you do in your facility? Are there a set of OR standards (like our INS standards) that addresses this? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) has 2008 Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices. Check them out at
www.aorn.org/PracticeResources/AORNStandardsAndRecommendedPractices/
Timothy L. Creamer RN, CRNI
Clinical Specialist, Bard Access Systems
Florida Division
Contact your OR as they are likely to have a copy of the AORN guidelienes so you will not have to order them
I also would ask them (your OR) your question and I think you will not like their answer.
Kathy Kokotis RN BS MBA
Bard Access Systems