When must central sterile techs change into scrubs?

Central sterile techs are required to change into scrubs before entering the work area to ensure a high standard of infection control and safety in the healthcare environment. This practice minimizes the risk of contamination that could arise from wearing outside clothing in sterile settings. By donning scrubs prior to entering their work area, technicians help maintain a sterile environment crucial for the handling of surgical instruments and supplies.

Changing into scrubs at this designated time also ensures that the clothing worn in the work area meets the specific hygiene standards expected in a setting where sterile processing is critical. This is part of adhering to protocols that support patient safety and infection prevention within healthcare facilities.

While changing scrubs at home or interacting with patients are important practices, they are not the specific requirement for when sterile techs must change into scrubs to maintain a sterile environment. Additionally, changing before the end of the day does not align with the primary objective of infection control protocols.