During surgery, the process of covering the patient and surrounding area with a sterile barrier to create and maintain a sterile field is called draping. The purpose of draping is to create a barrier between the surgical field and possible sources of microorganisms. By isolating the incision site and creating a sterile field with sterile drapes, the migration and contamination of microorganisms from the non-sterile area to the sterile area is minimized, thereby reducing the risk of surgical site infection.

Due to the crucial role of draping in patient surgical preparation, it must be performed correctly. The entire surgical team should be familiar with the draping procedure. The scrub must be fully familiar with the procedure and be ready to assist with the operation at any time.

(1) Firstly, draping the surgical drape from the foot to the knee. The medical staff will select the surgical drape and hand one end of the drape to the surgeon across the operating table. They will hold the fold, keep it high, and tighten it until it opens, then put it down. The operation method for the second surgical drape is the same. Place the surgical drape below the incision, with the surgical edge slightly below the incision.

(2) Next, place four sterile towels around the incision. The medical staff in the operating room unfolded the first towel and handed it to the surgeon with one side facing them. The surgeon places a towel in the surgical field near the incision line, leaving only enough skin for the incision. The placement method of the second towel is the same, but the towel is placed on the upper side of the incision line. Also place the third towel, but place it below the incision line. Place the last towel on your side. Ensure that you maintain a distance of at least 12 to 18 inches from the surgical field to prevent contamination.

(3) Finally, the operating room medical staff will select the laparotomy surgery drape. There is a window for incision on the laparotomy drape. The opening of the drape should be directly placed on the skin area outlined by the drape, facing towards the head or foot of the operating table. Surgical drapes are marked with patterns to indicate the head or feet of the surgical drapes. So we follow the instructions to place it at the incision site, the surgeon grabs one side, grabs the other side themselves, and slowly unfolds it. After the surgical drape is fully unfolded, remove the white paper.

Patient safety is an important responsibility shared by all members of the surgical team, which includes maintaining sterile techniques to reduce the risk of medical related infections. Serious application of evidence-based best practices for surgical draping is an important component of sterile technology. By following these practices, perioperative teams can help reduce the risk of perioperative infections and improve patient safety and satisfaction.