1. Sterile Technique

2. Medical Asepsis-In Hospital
Changing linens daily
Handwashing
Using clean medication cups

3. Medical Asepsis at Home
Wash hands before preparing food
Using disposable drinking cups in bathroom
Mopping the kitchen floor

4. Clean vs Contaminated Clean Contaminated (dirty)
Presence of some microorganisms but the absence of infectious agents
Contaminated (dirty)
Presence of some disease-producing microorganisms

5. Sterile Technique
Refers to those practices that keep an area or object free of all microorganisms
Includes practices that destroy all microorganisms and spores
Commonly used
Operating rooms
Labor & delivery rooms
Special diagnostic areas

6. Sterile Technique Procedures in general care areas
Administering injections
Changing wound dressings
Performing urinary catheterizations
Administering IV therapy
Respiratory suction

7. Indications for Sterile Technique
Patient’s skin is intentionally perforated
Skin is diseased or injured
Catheter or surgical instrument is inserted into a body cavity that is considered sterile

8. Principle #1 Check package for intactness and dryness
NEVER ASSUME AN ITEM IS STERILE
Always check chemical indicators of sterilization before using a package

9. Principle #2
Handle sterile objects that will touch open wounds or enter body cavities
Only with sterile forceps or sterile gloved hands

10. Principle #3
Once left unattended, a sterile field is considered unsterile
Do not turn your back on a sterile field
Keep sterile gloved hands in sight and above waist level

11. Principle #4 Hair should be prevented from falling on sterile objects
Keep talking to a minimum when working over a sterile field
Try to keep from reaching over a sterile field
Doors are closed and traffic kept to a minimum where sterile procedure is being done

12. Principle #5
Wet forceps are always held with the tips below the handles

13. Principle #6
Sterile waterproof barriers are used beneath sterile objects
The sterile covers on sterile equipment are kept dry

14. Principle #7
A one-inch margin at each edge of an opened drape is considered unsterile
All sterile objects are placed more than one-inch inside the edges of a sterile field.

15. Principle #8
Sterile gloves are worn and/or sterile forceps are used to handle sterile items.

16. Principle #9
When a sterile object become unsterile, it does not necessarily change in appearance
The person who sees a sterile object become contaminated must correct the situation

17. Opening on a Flat Surface
Place it above waist level on a clean, dry surface
Place it in the center of the work area so that the top flap opens away from you

18. Opening the first flap

19. Opening 2nd flap to the side

20. Pulling last flap toward self

21. Opening a wrapped package while holding it

22. Opening a sterile package with an unsealed corner

23. Open a sterile package with a partially sealed edge

24. Holding forceps with tips lower than the hand

25. Grasp the glove for the dominant hand--touch only the cuff

26. Keep the thumb of the inserted hand against the palm of the hand

27. Insert the gloved fingers under the cuff

28. Pull on second glove carefully
Pull on second glove carefully. Hold the thumb of the first hand outermost.