Aseptic Technique

An aseptic technique should be used during any invasive procedure that bypasses the body’s natural defenses (e.g., the skin and mucous membranes) or when handling invasive equipment. Aseptic technique are infection prevention and control practices that are used to minimize the presence of microorganisms during clinical procedures requiring the use of barriers to prevent the transmission of microorganisms from hands, surfaces and equipment. Aseptic, clean and sterile techniques use different principles.

Aseptic technique: reduces the contamination of microorganisms. It’s the purposeful reduction of pathogens to prevent the transfer of microorganisms from one person or object to another during a medical procedure.

Clean technique: reduces the number of microorganisms.

Sterile technique: Achieves an environment free of all microorganisms. It seeks to eliminate every potential microorganism in and around a sterile field while also maintaining objects as free from microorganisms as possible.

General Guidelines

  • Indications for using aseptic technique include but are not limited to:
    • Blood draws from central lines
    • Central line catheter care
    • Central line insertion
    • Enteral feed connections
    • Suprapubic catheterization
    • Suctioning
    • Tracheostomy care
    • Urinary catheter care
    • Urinary catheterization
    • Urine sampling via catheter port
    • Wound healing by primary intention
  • Hand hygiene needs to be performed prior to gathering sterile equipment and kits
  • Ensure that all equipment required is readily available prior to the procedure
  • Hand hygiene must be performed again prior to the procedure
  • Use the appropriate personal protective equipment for the procedure, including sterile gloves and a face mask as needed
  • The area used to place the equipment on should be cleaned and disinfected prior to using
  • Do not place sterile kits or other items on a resident’s bed, furniture or near personal items 
  • Do not place sterile equipment where a resident or visitor can contaminate it 
  • Open sterile packaging carefully to prevent contamination of the contents  
  • Use a non-touch technique to ensure that only sterile items come into contact with the susceptible site, that sterile items do not come into contact with non-sterile objects and are not touched by contaminated items or contaminated hands
  • Single use items must not be reused
  • Two staff members should be used for any procedure where resident contamination is likely  
  • If aseptic technique is broken the procedure needs to be stopped and new equipment obtained