Removing Sterile Gloves

When surgery is finished you will need to remove your gown and gloves in a way that does not contaminate you.

Start by untying your outer waist strings. Then, you may wait for the circulating nurse to untie the inner waist strings and neck strings. Alternatively, if you are wearing a disposable paper gown, you may be able to pull the gown off you toward the front, breaking the paper strings at your waist and neck.

Pull the gown off over your arms and hands, leaving your contaminated gloves on your hands. Dispose of the used gown properly. Contaminated waste goes in the red bags. Linen goes in the green bags. If you are uncertain, ask the circulating nurse.

Use your gloved fingers to pull the wrists of the gloves off toward the end of your fingers. By alternating your left and right hands, you can pull the gloves off your hands without touching your skin with the contaminated glove. Drop the gloves in the contaminated trash (red bag).