Aseptic Technique in Wound Care | Ausmed Explains...

Understanding the key components of performing aseptic technique in wound care can be confusing. Terminology has changed in recent years, linking in with the Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®) Guidelines in the UK.

Application of aseptic technique in wound dressing procedure:
• Developed by Wounds Australia to support healthcare professionals in the application of aseptic technique in wound dressing procedures.
•Based on Standard 3 – Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infections within the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
• The use of aseptic technique in wound care minimises pathogenic organisms being introduced into a wound that may cause infection.
• The Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®) as a framework for aseptic practice in the UK and around the world has provided a structure and helped improve healthcare-associated infection.
• Terms ‘sterile’ and ‘clean’ technique are no longer used. They have been replaced with ‘standard aseptic technique’ and ‘surgical aseptic technique’.
• Aseptic procedures are described/performed according to principles of surgical or standard aseptic technique.

The document makes recommendations based on the outcome of a risk assessment for each patient, which includes core prevention components of asepsis:
1. Cleaning aspects when undertaking a wound dressing;
2. Wound cleansing;
3. Environmental considerations;
4. Storage of wound products;
5. Use and management of ‘open-but-unused’ dressing products;
6. Patient considerations in assessing correct use of open-but-unused dressings;
7. Managing ‘open-but-unused’ dressings aseptically.
Other factors considered are:
• Patients’ health-related risks factors;
• Wound characteristics;
• Availability of products and storage;
• Procedural considerations.

The document was developed to assist clinicians to apply aseptic technique in a range of settings.
1. Semi-controlled: Hospital inpatient
2. Semi-controlled: Outpatients, clinics, general practice
3. Semi-controlled: Residential facilities
4. Uncontrolled: Home

Hand hygiene, glove use, non-touch technique, environmental controls and sequencing are not discussed within the document, as it is expected clinicians will have prior understanding of these core components of infection prevention.

For more information on aspetic technique in wound care, visit: http://www.antt.org/ANTT_Site/home.html

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