Who is responsible for ensuring the sterile field is maintained?

The responsibility for maintaining the sterile field during a surgical procedure falls primarily on the scrub tech, or surgical technologist. This role is critical in the operating room as the scrub tech is tasked with preparing the sterile instruments, ensuring all items used within the sterile field remain uncontaminated, and assisting the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies as needed throughout the procedure.

The surgical tech's training specifically focuses on sterile techniques and practices that are vital to infection control within the operating room. They keep a keen watch for any breaches in sterility, such as when non-sterile items come into contact with the sterile field or if personnel inadvertently touch sterile areas.

While the circulator, anesthesiologist, and surgeon also play important roles in the surgical process, their responsibilities are distinct from the specific duties of maintaining the sterile field. The circulator manages the overall coordination of the surgical procedure and ensures necessary supplies are available but does not directly handle sterile instruments in the same way. The anesthesiologist focuses on the patient's anesthesia and monitoring during the operation, and the surgeon performs the actual surgical procedure while relying on the scrub tech to maintain the integrity of the sterile environment.