While keeping your hands inside the gown at the cuff, wait for the _ to tie your gown before gloving.

In a surgical setting, maintaining a sterile environment is paramount to preventing infections and ensuring patient safety. When preparing for a surgical procedure, it is essential that the individual remains sterile while waiting for assistance with tying their gown.

The circulator plays a crucial role in the operating room. They are responsible for managing the overall workflow and ensuring that all necessary supplies and equipment are available. When the gown is being tied, it is typically done by the circulator because they are positioned outside the sterile field and can assist without compromising sterility.

By waiting for the circulator to tie the gown, the person preparing to glove ensures that their hands remain within the confines of the sterile gown. This practice helps to minimize the risk of contamination. The circulator's positioning allows them to tie the gown securely without risking contact with sterile surfaces.

In contrast, other roles in the operating room, such as the surgeon, assistant, and scrub nurse, are often engaged with tasks that are either inside the sterile field or focused on other responsibilities. This reinforces why waiting for the circulator, who operates between the sterile and non-sterile areas, is the best practice for maintaining sterility while preparing for gloving.