Review terminology and key terms
Asepsis – the absence of infectious organisms
Aseptic technique – aimed at minimising infection, ensuring that only uncontaminated objects/fluids make contact with sterile/susceptible sites
Antisepsis – removal of transient microorganisms from the skin by the use of chemical solutions for disinfection
Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) – the only part of sterile equipment that may be handled is that which will not be exposed to the susceptible site
How to use effective hand hygiene to reduce Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)
Check your knowledge of this important factor for aseptic technique
Preparing to undertake an aseptic procedure using a sterile field
Creating and maintaining a sterile field. A sterile field is an area that is created by placing a sterile towel/s around the surface of the procedure site. This surface can therefore be used to place sterile instruments and/or dressings. Sterile items are defined as those which are free of potentially harmful microorganisms and their sterility has been maintained during the opening process. If a sterile item comes into contact with a nonsterile item, object, person or environmental contaminant, the object is no longer sterile therefore the procedure must be abandoned and restarted.
Click the link below to watch a video demonstrating how to set up equipment for an aseptic procedure:
When to use aseptic technique
Aseptic technique should always be used whenever a procedure involves contact with a part of the body, or an invasive device (such as a urinary catheter), where introducing microorganisms could lead to an increased risk of infection (Dougherty and Lister, 2012). Clinical indications for application of aseptic technique include:
Aseptic technique is designed to prevent the cross transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms between the member of staff and the patient.
Review your understanding of aseptic technique and raise any unanswered questions in the Padlet below:
Additional reading/References
Dougherty, L., Lister, S., West-Oram, A. eds. (2020) The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical and Cancer Nursing Procedures 10th ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell available online: https://www-rmmonline-co-uk.ezproxy-s2.stir.ac.uk/[accessed 19/12/22]
Dock Dockery, G. (2012) Aseptic Technique. In: Dock Dockery, G., Crawford, M.E. (Eds) Lower Extremity Soft Tissue & Cutaneous Plastic Surgery (Second Edition). London, W.B. Saunders, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-3136-6.00033-3Links to an external site.. [accessed 19/12/22]
Denton, A., Hallam, C, (2020) Principles of asepsis 1: the rationale for using aseptic technique. Nursing Times [online]; 116: 38-41. Available: https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/infection-control/principles-of-asepsis-1-the-rationale-for-using-aseptic-technique-14-04-2020/Links to an external site. [accessed 19/12/22]
Dumville, J.C., McFarlane, E., Edwards, P., Lipp, A., Holmes, A. (2013) Preoperative skin antiseptics for preventing surgical wound infections after clean surgery. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. 28; (3):CD003949. Available: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003949.pub3/related-contentLinks to an external site. [accessed 19/12/22]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016) Healthcare-associated infections. Quality standard [QS113]. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs113Links to an external site. [accessed 19/12/22]
Noorani A., Rabey N., Walsh S.R., Davies R.J. (2010) Systematic review and meta-analysis of preoperative antisepsis with chlorhexidine versus povidone-iodine in clean-contaminated surgery. British Journal of Surgery, 97(11):1614-20. Available: https://academic-oup-com.ezproxy-s2.stir.ac.uk/bjs/article/97/11/1614/6142231 [accessed 19/12/22]
Pratt, R.J., Pellowe, C.M., Wilson, J.A., Loveday, H.P., Harper, P.J., Jones, S.R.L.J., McDougall, C., Wilcox, M.H. (2007) epic2: National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England Journal of Hospital Infection, 65 (1), 1-59 Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6701(07)60002-4Links to an external site. [accessed 19/12/22]
World Health Organisation (2021) Seconds save lives – clean your hands! Key facts and figures, World Hand Hygiene Day 2021. Available: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hand-hygiene-day/2021Links to an external site. [accessed 19/12/22]
