When should a sterile glove be donned during the de-garbing process?

The proper sequence in the de-garbing process is crucial to maintaining sterility and preventing contamination. Wearing sterile gloves before donning a gown is essential because it ensures that once the sterile gloves are on, they do not come into contact with any potentially non-sterile areas or surfaces. This practice maximizes the integrity of the sterile field, as gloves can easily become contaminated if they are put on after the gown.

In the context of preparing for a sterile compounding environment, the gown serves to contain the technician’s clothing and any contaminants that may reside there. If gloves are donned afterward, there is a risk of contamination from the gown during the process of donning it. By putting on the gloves first, you can handle the gown in a manner that maintains your sterility once it is on, leading to safer compounding practices.

In summary, the rationale is primarily to preserve the sterility of the gloves and minimize the risk of contamination by ensuring they are the first barrier put on before any other garments that could harbor contaminants. This order of donning is a critical practice for anyone working in environments that require the highest standards of cleanliness and sterility.