What is aseptic technique?

Aseptic techniques are those that do some or all of the following:

• Remove or kill microorganisms from hands and objects.
• Employ sterile instruments and other items.
• Reduce clients' risk of exposure to microorganisms that cannot be removed.

Who is at risk?

Staff: During examinations or invasive procedures, service providers may be exposed to potentially infectious tissue, blood, or other body fluids. Aseptic technique protects service providers by acting as a barrier against microorganisms.

Clients: The usually harmless microorganisms found on the skin of a service provider may cause infection when introduced into an area of the body where they are not normally found, such as into a client's internal organs during surgery. These normal flora can also cause infection in an immunocompromised person, who is especially susceptible to infection. Clients are also at risk of acquiring infections when bacteria from the client's own skin infect a wound, when tissue has been damaged due to rough or excessive manipulation during surgery, or when excessive bleeding makes the tissue susceptible to invasion by microorganisms. Aseptic technique adequately prepares clients for surgery, safeguardes against excessive manipulation, and protects clients from microorganisms in the environment and on the service provider's skin, clothes, and hair.

Community: If their hands are contaminated, or if they become infected from exposure to bloodborne diseases, staff members can spread infections to their partners, friends, or family members. Infections acquired by both clients and staff can lead to increased infections throughout the community, since these infections can continue to be passed on to others.

©2004 EngenderHealth