13 Principles of Aseptic

Technique
1. Only sterile items are used within the sterile field.
2. Gowns are considered sterile only from the waist to shoulder level in front and the sleeves.
3. Tables are sterile only at the table level.
4. Persons who are sterile only touch sterile items or areas. Sterile persons leaning over
unsterile over an unsterile area.
5. Unsterile persons avoid reaching over a sterile field. Sterile persons avoid leaning or
reaching over an unsterile area.
6. Edges of anything that encloses the sterile content are considered unsterile.
7. Sterile fields is created as close as possible to time of use.
8. Sterile areas are continuously kept in view.
9. Sterile persons keep well within the sterile area.
10. Sterile persons keep contact with sterile areas to a minimum.
11. Unsterile persons avoid sterile area.
12. Destruction of integrity of microbial barriers results in contamination.
13. Microorganisms must be kept in to an irreducible minimum.