Setting up a sterile dressing tray and maintaining the principles of sterility is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many ways in which a sterile filed can become contaminated and nurses need to be aware of these risks. This video is about Setting up a Sterile Dressing Tray and Principles of Sterility. Setting up and maintaining a sterile field optimizes patient safety and minimizes the risk of microorganism transfer. The principles of sterility include: * never reach over your sterile field * Keep forceps pointed down * One inch border is considered contaminated On * Remove lid and leave it face up, label in palm of hand, position above the tray (no touch) and pour without splash * Only sterile items are used in the sterile field * Out of sight = contaminated, Keep a position where the tray is beside you and within view as you work on the patient' wound * Area below the waist = contaminated * Soiled drape (wet) = contaminated