If a sterile package falls to the floor while preparing a room, what should be done with it?

When a sterile package falls to the floor, it becomes compromised and is no longer considered sterile due to potential contamination from the surface it fell on. In a surgical or medical environment where maintaining sterility is crucial, the integrity of sterile items must be prioritized to prevent infection. Therefore, the appropriate action is to consider the package unsterile and dispose of it. This ensures that when the time comes for the procedure, all materials in use are safe and sterile, effectively minimizing the risk of introducing pathogens into a surgical site.

Other options, such as attempting to clean the package or putting it back in the sterile field, could lead to further contamination and risk for infection, which is unacceptable in a pre-operative setting. Additionally, waiting for supervision without taking prompt action could delay the procedure and compromise patient safety. Thus, immediate disposal is the best practice.