====== 🩺 Draping ======

**Draping** is the sterile technique of covering the patient and surrounding areas with **sterile drapes** to establish a **sterile surgical field** and prevent contamination during a procedure.

===== 🎯 Objectives =====
  * Isolate the **surgical site** from non-sterile areas
  * Minimize the risk of **surgical site infections (SSIs)**
  * Provide a clear, sterile working field for the surgical team

===== 🧪 Key Features =====
  * Uses **sterile drapes**, made of cloth or disposable materials
  * Drapes are **fluid-resistant** or **absorbent**, depending on type
  * Applied **after skin antisepsis** and once the area is completely dry

===== 🛠️ Draping Procedure =====
  - Confirm **skin antiseptic is dry** (especially alcohol-based)
  - Use sterile gloves and instruments
  - Begin draping **from the incision site outward**
  - Cover all adjacent non-sterile surfaces
  - Avoid shifting drapes once placed

===== 🧠 Draping in Neurosurgery =====
  * Requires precise exposure of cranium or spine
  * Specialized fenestrated drapes often used
  * Draping must allow for **microscope or neuronavigation access**

===== ⚠️ Precautions =====
  * Wet [[antiseptic]] under drapes can cause **chemical burns**
  * A breach in drape integrity = break in sterility
  * [[Drape]]s must not be reused or repositioned once contaminated

----