1. Sterile technique

2. Sterile technique What does sterile mean?
Free from all organisms, including spores & viruses
What does contaminated mean?
organisms & pathogens are present

3. Sterile technique
Many procedures require the use of sterile techniques to protect the pt from further infection
Sterile techniques must be followed to ensure sterile items remain sterile

4. Sterile technique
Surgical asepsis=procedures that keep an object or area free from living organisms
Medical asepsis=clean technique (not sterile)

5. Rules for Sterile technique
Keep a clean, uncluttered working area when working with sterile supplies to avoid accidental contamination

6. Rules for Sterile technique
A sterile object must never touch a nonsterile item

7. Rules for Sterile technique
If sterile objects touch the skin or your clothing, they are no longer sterile

8. Rules for Sterile technique
Any area below the waist is considered contaminated, so sterile articles must be held away from and in front of the body and above the waist

9. Rules for Sterile technique
Never reach across the top of a sterile field. Microorganisms can drop off your arm or clothing and contaminate the field.

10. Rules for Sterile technique
Reach in from either side to place sterile items on a sterile field.

11. Rules for Sterile technique
Avoid coughing, sneezing, or talking over a sterile field because airborne particles can fall on the field and contaminate it.

12. Rules for Sterile technique
The 2” border around the sterile field is considered contaminated, so sterile items should not touch those areas

13. Rules for Sterile technique
In most facilities, autoclaved items should not be more than 30 days since autoclaving was done.

14. Rules for Sterile technique
Do not use sterile items if the package has any sign of moisture

15. Rules for Sterile technique
Keep the sterile field dry because microorganisms travel quickly through a wet surface.

16. Rules for Sterile technique
Use either the drop technique, mitten technique, or transfer forceps to remove articles from sterile wraps.

17. Rules for Sterile technique
The sterile tray should be open and you should be ready to do the sterile procedure before putting on sterile gloves.

18. Rules for Sterile technique
Sterile gloves are considered sterile on the outside and contaminated on the inside

19. Rules for Sterile technique
Once sterile gloves are on, hold hands away from the body and above the waist to avoid contamination

20. Rules for Sterile technique
Touch only sterile items while wearing sterile gloves

21. Rules for Sterile technique
Never turn your back to the sterile field.

22. Sterile technique
If at any time during a sterile procedure, there is any suspicion that you have contaminated any article, start over.
Never take a chance on using contaminated equipment or supplies.