Right Asepsis with ANTT® for Infection Prevention

Abstract

Aseptic technique, which involves infection prevention actions designed to protect patients from infection when undergoing invasive clinical procedures, is universally prescribed by guideline makers as a critical competency in the prevention of infections. However, no meaningful explanation of what aseptic technique is or how it is to be applied to ensure patient safety is provided within any of the guidelines. The Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT ®), originated by Rowley in the late 1990s, was designed to help address variable aseptic technique standards of practice and provide a rationalized, contemporary, evidence-based framework to standardize this critical competency and help improve standards of practice. The ANTT ® Clinical Practice Framework provides a comprehensive framework for aseptic technique for all invasive procedures based on an approach termed Key-Part and Key-Site Protection. During the insertion or manipulation of an intravascular device, the 'ANTT-Approach' provides a systematic method that supports the practitioner to include all the important elements of aseptic technique, with particular focus on the identification and protection of 'Key-Parts' and 'Key-Sites' throughout the preparation and the procedure. This chapter provides clinical examples of how the ANTT ® is implemented in the healthcare setting, as well as, importantly, how to promote compliance of the technique.

Reappraising Elements of the Aseptic Technique in Dermatology: A Review

“…Terms such as "aseptic" and "sterile" are often used interchangeably, and multiple definitions are available. The following definitions are based on the descriptions provided by the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique Framework, a clinical practice standard developed by Rowley in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and currently implemented in more than 25 countries [3].…”

“…Historically the term sterile technique has been used interchangeably with aseptic technique. However, a true sterile technique is impossible to achieve in most healthcare settings due to the presence of airborne organisms [3].…”