How must OR persons in sterile gowns and gloves pass each other?

• A. Face-to-face
• B. Side-by-side
• C. Back-to-back
• D. One in front of the other

Answer: (C)

In the context of an operating room (OR), individuals dressed in sterile gowns and gloves must take special precautions to maintain the sterility of their surgical attire and the sterile field. Passing back-to-back is the preferred method because it minimizes the risk of contact between the sterile gowns and gloves of the individuals involved.

When passing back-to-back, there is a reduced likelihood of one person's sterile attire coming into contact with the other's, which helps prevent the potential transfer of contaminants. This method allows each person to maintain their sterile field without compromising the sterility of the others. Therefore, adopting this approach is crucial for infection control in a surgical environment, ensuring the safety and efficacy of surgical procedures.

In contrast, passing face-to-face, side-by-side, or one in front of the other can increase the chance of inadvertent contact between sterile areas, which could lead to contamination and compromise patient safety. Thus, the outlined method of passing back-to-back ensures the highest standards of sterility in the operating room.