Treating and maintaining a sterile field with drapes and gowns is one of the cornerstones of infection prevention. Because of its fragility, the sterile field is often on the minds of OR nurses and techs. According to AORN guidelines, scrubbed surgical team members should work within a sterile field to prevent surgical site infections. Gowns and drapes are considered part of the sterile field. For that reason, it's important to understand the basics of draping and gowning.