Surgical Technologist how-to
How to Gown and Glove Using Closed Gloving
Closed gloving keeps your bare hands from ever touching the outside of the sterile gown or gloves.
Closed gloving keeps your bare hands from ever touching the outside of the sterile gown or gloves. In short: pick; let; have, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Pick up the folded sterile gown by the inside neckline and step back from the table.
Let the gown unfold and slide your arms into the sleeves without pushing your hands through the cuffs.
Have the circulator pull the gown on and tie the back.
With your hand inside the sleeve, pick up the first glove and place it palm-down on the opposite sleeve.
Grasp the glove cuff through the sleeve and pull it over the gown cuff, then work your hand into the glove.
Repeat for the other hand and secure the gown’s outer tie with help from a sterile team member or the circulator.
Keep hands at or above waist level and in front of you at all times.
Safety reminders for surgical technologists
- Maintain sterile technique and speak up about any break in sterility
- Pass sharps using a neutral zone or with clear communication
- Use smoke evacuation for electrosurgery to reduce exposure to surgical plume
- Follow counts and time-out protocols on every case
Key terms
Sterile field · Scrub role · Circulator · Back table · Mayo stand · Surgical count: see the full surgical technologist glossary.