The lead author and the medical librarian also identified relevant guidelines from government agencies, professional organizations, and standards-setting bodies. The lead author requested additional articles that either did not fit the original search criteria or were discovered during the evidence appraisal process. Results from these alerts were provided to the lead author until April 2018. At the time of the initial search, weekly alerts were created on the topics included in that search. The search was limited to literature published in English from 2012 through 2017. The reader should refer to the AORN Guideline for Surgical Attire, 4 Guideline for Hand Hygiene, 5 Guideline for Medical Device and Product Evaluation, 6 and Guideline for Prevention of Unplanned Patient Hypothermia 7 for additional guidance.Ī medical librarian with a perioperative background conducted a systematic search of the databases Ovid MEDLINE®, EBSCO CINAHL®, Scopus®, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Surgical attire, hand hygiene, product evaluation, and the effects of forced-air warming equipment are outside the scope of these recommendations. 2Īlthough these recommendations include references to other AORN Guidelines, the focus of this document is sterile technique. Perioperative nurses have a long-standing reputation of advocating for patients and working with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide a safe perioperative environment. 1,3 Surgical patients are vulnerable thus, perioperative team members are required to mindfully practice the principles of sterile technique to ensure the sterile field is maintained.
2Īdhering to the principles and processes of sterile technique is a matter of ethical obligation, individual conscience, and patient advocacy that applies to all members of the perioperative team. Perioperative leaders have a duty to promote a culture of safety by creating an environment in which perioperative personnel are encouraged to identify, question, or stop practices believed to be unsafe without fear of repercussions. 1 Perioperative team members must be vigilant in preventing contamination of the sterile field and ensuring that the principles and processes of sterile technique are implemented. Thoughtful and diligent implementation of sterile technique is a cornerstone of perioperative nursing practice and a key strategy in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs).Īll individuals who are involved in operative or other invasive procedures have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for patient care. Sterile technique involves the use of specific actions and activities to maintain sterility and prevent contamination of the sterile field and sterile items during operative and other invasive procedures. This document provides guidance on the principles and processes of sterile technique.