When setting up a sterile field, what is the first step?

The first step in setting up a sterile field involves preparing the sterile instruments and supplies. This is crucial because establishing a sterile environment is fundamental to preventing infection during surgical procedures. By ensuring that all instruments and supplies are ready in a sterile condition, the surgical team can proceed in an organized manner.

This preparation involves checking that all items are properly sterilized and within their expiration dates. It also means positioning them in a way that promotes efficiency and minimizes the risk of contamination during the surgical procedure. Without this initial preparation, the subsequent steps, such as covering the surgical table and handling instruments, would be compromised, potentially leading to surgical site infections.

Once the instruments and supplies are prepared and confirmed to be sterile, the surgical table can then be covered, creating a suitable sterile field for the procedure. This orderly approach underlines the importance of sterilization as the foundation of maintaining patient safety during surgery.