Preparation for Surgery
Sterile Field
Maintenance
Sterile preparation of Back
Table, Mayo Stand, Ring
Basin, and Prep Stand
Textbook Reading

Review Pages 341-346 thoroughly
Back Table
Back Table
Provides a large sterile area for
preparation and storage of needed
supplies and equipment
 All instruments and supplies that are
needed for a surgical procedure are kept
on the Back Table
 The Back Table is usually the first to be
set up

Back Table Setup




Back table should be
positioned so that the STSR
can retrieve needed supplies
and instruments without
turning their back towards the
back table
Position yourself to conserve
steps and unnecessary
movements
Try to stay centered on the
back table and use your
shoulders and arms to move
needed items
Work in sections on the back
table



Learn a logical and
efficient pattern for
back table setup
Repeat the same
setup pattern for
every case
Be aware of all
movements near your
sterile back table
Back Table Setup Techniques



Place drapes in order of use.
Items can be placed on a
corner of a back table, draped
mayo stand, or basin in the
ring stand
Other supplies may be place in
their permanent locations such
as sponges, medicine cups,
needle board, saline container,
and bowls
Place basins and medicine
cups near but not over the
edge of the back table




Place instrument tray (s) on
your designated area on back
table
Remove loose instruments in
tray (s) and place stringed
instruments on a towel roll
Replace loose instruments in a
manner that enables quick
handling and accurate
counting
All sharps should be place in
needle board to prevent injury
Back Table Setup Techniques




Back table should be orderly and consistent
Position of all sponges, needles, blades, and instruments should be
accessible and easily counted
All liquids and medicines should be labeled and placed in a safe
area until needed
Adequate work area should be maintained for tasks during surgery
or additional instrumentation
Back Table Setup
Organization is the key to
efficiency
Efficiency is the key to
organization
Common Back Table Setup
Back Table Set up Example
Back Table Set up Example
Tray Set up Example
Mayo Stand
Mayo Stand







The mayo stand is a modified table
The mayo stand can be adjusted in height and moved to and from
the sterile field
All necessary and immediate items are placed on the mayo stand for
immediate use
When moved over the patient, the bottom side is considered
contaminated due to that space being unobserved during surgery
Do not place hands or items under mayo stand
The mayo stand is used often and frequently
May not use mayo stand on hand cases
Mayo Stand Setup





Use towels to help pad mayo stand
and prevent instruments from going
through mayo stand cover
Place instruments that are most likely
to be used on mayo stand
Use a rolled towel to position stringed
instruments on mayo stand
Close ratcheted instruments that go on
mayo stand
Typically place all hemostats and then
other ringed instruments in pairs







You need something from every
instrument classification
Think patient anatomy and pathology
Place scissors with tips pointing down
Knives are placed with tips pointing
away from you
Place all pick ups to be used with tips
pointing away from you
Place any needed sponges on mayo
to be used for start of surgery
Place suction tubing, light handles,
bovie with holster, and scratch pad on
mayo stand
Mayo Stand Set up Example
V V
V V
Mayo Scissors
Metz Scissors
You and
mayo’s legs
are Here
Patient’s feet ↓
Towel Roll
Light
glove
Ringed instruments
All hemostats and pairs of everything else
pertinent to procedure
glove
Forceps for case
Toothed and tissue in pairs
Proper length
Light
Hand held retractors appropriate for procedure
knife
Suction tubing
With proper tip attached
↓
Bovie Holster
and Pencil
Laps or raytex x 2
Self-retaining retractor
Appropriate for case
V V
V V
Forceps for case
Toothed and tissue in pairs
Proper length
Mayo Scissors
Metz Scissors
knife
You and
Mayo’s legs
are Here
↓
Hand held retractor appropriate for procedure
Light
Light
glove
glove
Suction tubing
With proper tip attached
Laps or raytex x 2
Bovie Holster
and Pencil
Ringed instruments
All hemostats and pairs of everything else
pertinent to procedure
Towel Roll
Patient’s feet
↓