Scrubbing up

[Slo-mo]

Why do surgeons spend so much time scrubbing their hands when they are going to cover them with sterile gloves?

[Lonnie]

I would think, its because if they don't, then when they pull their sterile glove on, they are no longer sterile.

[Froggy_Queen]

And Lonnie has the answer!!

[nursecarla]

lonnie is correct it is to get them sterile before the gloves are put on

[Impret-Sir]

But also, it is not unknown for surgical gloves to tear or puncture during an operation, exposing, even if just momentarily, the surgeons bare skin to the wound.

[SteveD]

When a surgeon "scrubs-up", the object is to make the skin of the hands and forearms "surgically clean".

Surgeons' gloves are supplied in a pack with the cuffs turned inside out. The surgeon first puts on his/her operating gown then picks up one of the gloves by the inside-out cuff and pulls it on (consequently, he/she is not touching the outside of the glove which must remain sterile). He/she will then pick up the other glove by slipping two fingers between the folded cuff and the hand of the glove and pull it onto the other hand, pulling the cufff up over the sleeve of the gown (which usually has an elasticated wrist section).

Alternatively, another member of the team who is already wearing gloves can hold the new gloves by the cuff and the surgeon can push his/her hand into each one in turn.