Pass each other back to back. Turn their back to a non-sterile area when passing. Face a sterile area when passing it. Stay near and facing the sterile tables if waiting for the animal to be prepped. Persons who have not scrubbed should avoid sterile areas.
Moisture allows bacteria to the sterile area causing contamination.
Sterile packages should be laid only on dry areas. If a sterile package becomes damp or wet, it should be re-sterilized or discarded. If a solution soaks through a sterile drape to a non-sterile area, the wet area should be covered with another sterile drape. When bacteria cannot be eliminated from a field, they should be kept to an irreducible minimum. Patient skin cannot be sterilized and is a source of potential contamination from both the patient and members of the operating team.