Notes

Sterile Technique
Sterile technique, also called surgical asepsis, is maintaining an area that is free from all microorganisms. Sterile technique must be practiced for all invasive procedures to protect patients from infection. To maintain a sterile area, only sterile items may touch other sterile items. These techniques take skill and careful planning.

Sterile Fields
Sterile fields are areas that are set up for procedures and are free from microorganisms. A sterile field is usually a tray that is covered with a small, sterile towel. The tray contains instruments and supplies for a specific procedure, such as changing a dressing or wound repair. Sterile fields are also used in the operating room during surgery. All items placed on the sterile field must be sterile.

Working with Sterile Fields
Healthcare workers must follow specific rules when setting up a sterile field. A sterile field must not be created in a cluttered area. Sterile items are likely to become contaminated in a messy environment. If a sterile item, or the sterile towel, touches any part of a healthcare worker's skin or clothing, the item is considered contaminated and cannot be used. Additionally, any area below the waist is considered contaminated. Therefore, healthcare workers must hold sterile items above the waist and away from the body. When working with sterile fields, healthcare workers must never reach across the sterile area. Microorganisms could drop from the clothing onto the field and cause contamination. Always reach to the sides of a sterile field. After preparing a sterile field, healthcare workers must keep their eyes on it at all times. If a sterile field is left unsupervised, there is no way of knowing if the field was contaminated. Sterile fields must also be kept dry because organisms spread quickly in moist environments. If a sterile field becomes wet, other than with a sterile solution, it is considered contaminated and cannot be used.
If any item in a sterile field becomes contaminated or if a healthcare worker suspects that any item may be contaminated, the entire field must be created again. It is better to take the additional time required to prepare a new sterile field than to risk exposing the patient to potentially infectious organisms.

Sterile Packages
Items required to prepare a sterile field, and items that are placed on the field, are packaged to maintain sterility. Some of these items are packaged individually, such as gauze, bandages, and small towels. Other sterile items are packaged together for specific procedures, like changing a dressing. A sterile package must be opened with care. The outside of the package is considered contaminated, but the inside is sterile. A sterile package should be opened with ungloved hands and after performing hand hygiene. While opening, healthcare workers must work carefully to ensure they touch only the outside surfaces of the package. Only sterile items, such as a sterile transfer forceps, may touch the inside of a sterile package. Items that are added to a sterile field are opened and “flipped” onto the field using aseptic technique.