When gowning and gloving, what should be touched only on the inside of the gown?

When gowning and gloving in a sterile environment, it is crucial to minimize the risk of contamination. The ties of the gown should only be touched on the inside. This is because the outside of the gown, which may be considered sterile, is intended to maintain a barrier against pathogens. Touching the ties only from the inside ensures that you do not compromise the sterile field by inadvertently making contact with contaminated surfaces or items.

The proper technique of handling the gown focuses on ensuring that only the inner surfaces—those meant to stay uncontaminated—are touched during the process. This practice is essential in maintaining sterility and preventing infection, particularly in a clinical setting where patients are at risk. Proper technique in donning surgical attire is a fundamental aspect of infection control practices in interventional radiology and other medical fields.