1. Only sterile items are used within the sterile field.
2. Gowns are considered sterile only from waist to shoulders level in front and the sleeves.
3. Tables are sterile only at table level.
4. Persons who are sterile touch only sterile items or areas; persons who are not sterile touch only unsterile items or areas.
5. Unsterile persons avoid reaching over a sterile field; sterile persons avoid leaning over an unsterile area.
6. Edges of anything that encloses sterile contents are considered unsterile.
7. Sterile field is created as close as possible to time of use.
8. Sterile areas are continuously kept in view.
9. Sterile persons keep well within the sterile area.
10. Sterile persons keep contact with sterile areas to a minimum.
11. Unsterile persons avoid sterile areas
12. Destruction of integrity of microbial barriers results in contamination.
13.Microorganisms must be kept to an irreducible minimum