After performing a surgical scrub, how should hands be positioned?

After performing a surgical scrub, it is important to position the hands above waist level to maintain sterility. This positioning helps to prevent contamination of the sterile surgical field and keeps the hands clear of any non-sterile surfaces. Keeping the hands elevated reduces the risk of dripping water or debris from the arms and hands onto sterile areas or instruments.

The surgical scrub itself is a critical process to cleanse the hands and forearms, ensuring that any microorganisms are effectively eliminated. Once scrubbed, elevating the hands helps sustain the integrity of the sterile technique required in surgical settings, contributing to patient safety and effective infection control.

Positioning the hands at waist level or below would increase the risk of contamination, as this height can lead to accidental contact with non-sterile surfaces. Therefore, maintaining the hands above waist level is essential in a surgical environment.