All materials that enter the sterile field must be sterile.

The surgical team working in the operative field must wear sterile gowns and gloves.

The sterile package is contaminated once it has been opened.

The circulating nurse must wear sterile gowns and gloves.

Tables are sterile only at tabletop level. Items extending beneath this level are contaminated.

A wide margin of safety is maintained between sterile and unsterile fields.