What should the surgical team do if the case they are preparing for is delayed for a few hours after setting up the sterile field?

The correct course of action when a surgical case is delayed after the sterile field has been set up is to cover the sterile field. This practice is essential to prevent contamination of the surgical field, which could compromise patient safety and lead to infection.

Covering the sterile field helps to maintain the sterility of the instruments and supplies until the procedure can commence. This protocol is a critical component of maintaining a safe surgical environment, as exposure to air, unsterile items, or contamination increases the risk of surgical site infections.

Keeping the field set up for the procedure without providing any additional protection may lead to contamination as time passes. Continuation of preparation while waiting for the case to start also poses a risk, as it may lead to the introduction of non-sterile items or touch by untrained personnel. Breaking down all supplies, while an option to avoid contamination, unnecessarily wastes resources and can contribute to delays and inefficiencies in the surgical schedule. Covering the field strikes an appropriate balance by preserving sterility while allowing for the possibility of the procedure resuming as planned.