Components of aseptic technique

Aseptic technique refers to the practices performed immediately before and during a clinical procedure to reduce postoperative infection. These include:

• Handwashing
• Surgical scrub
• Using barriers (surgical attire)
• Client prep (preparing a client for clinical procedures)
• Maintaining a sterile field
• Using safe operative technique (making small incisions, avoiding trauma to tissue and surrounding structures, and controlling bleeding)
• Maintaining a safer environment in the surgical/procedure area

Every one of these practices is important and should be used during clinical procedures to reduce the risk of infection. This module will examine client preparation, the sterile field, safe tissue handling, and how to maintain a safe environment in surgical and procedure areas.

Handwashing is covered in depth in the Handwashing module of this course. Detailed information on surgical scrub and the use of barriers--including information about how to put on and take off surgical gloves--can be found in the next module, Surgical Scrub and Surgical Attire.

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