What is sterile technique?

Sterile techniques are methods employed inside

the operating room to prevent contamination of
organisms throughout the surgical procedure

When are sterile techniques used or applied?

1. Preparation for an invasive procedure
2. In preparation of the sterile team to handle Principle 4: Sterile Persons Touch ONLY Sterile
sterile supplies and contact to the surgical Items while Unsterile OR Personnel Touch Only
site (gowning, gloving and scrubbing) Unsterile Items
3. Skin preparation and draping of the patient
4. Sterility maintenance throughout the
operation

Principles of Sterility

Principle 1: All objects used in a sterile field Principle 5: Unsterile persons avoid reaching
over sterile field and sterile persons avoid
must be sterile. touching or leaning over an unsterile area.

Principle 6: Edges of anything that encloses

sterile contents are considered unsterile
Principle 2: Sterile persons are gown and
gloved. Gowns are considered sterile only from
the waist to shoulder level Infront and sleeves

Principle 7: Sterile field is set-up just before a

surgical procedure

Principle 3: Tables are only sterile at Table

Level
 Principle 12: Destruction of integrity of
microbial barriers result in contamination

Principle 8: Sterile areas are continuously kept

in view.

 Principle 13: Microorganisms must be kept to

irreducible minimum

Principle 9: Sterile persons keep well within

sterile area.

Principle 10: Sterile persons keep in contact with

sterile areas to minimum.

Principle 11: Unsterile persons avoid sterile

areas