There is evidence that significant reductions in HAI are possible by establishing compliance with standardised clinical practice ( Pronovost et al., 2006). Increasingly, modern technology enabling organisms to be tracked around the procedure environment is providing evidence for the role of failed aseptic technique in the transmission of infection ( Loftus et al., 2008, 2011, 2012). Pellowe describes ‘Poor adherence to evidence-based infection prevention measures and the subsequently increased risks to patients’ ( Pellowe, 2007:568). The vocabulary of aseptic technique is often inaccurate, used interchangeably, confusing and lacking in evidence, all of which appears to have contributed to practice variability, inadequate risk assessment and uncontrolled standards of practice ( Aziz, 2009 Rowley et al., 2010).įailures of aseptic technique have long been thought to be associated with practice compromises ( Worthington et al., 2001). Hartley (2005) reports that aseptic technique is not carried out to a high standard across the UK and Flores (2008) suggested that there was a theory–practice gap along with much confusion and complacency in professional practice regarding aseptic technique. Aseptic technique is variously and confusingly described in the literature and problematic in practice. Importantly, when aseptic techniques are used as a method of preventing infection, it is essential that they are theoretically sound and carried out correctly ( Aziz, 2009: 26). The importance of aseptic technique is highlighted by the Department of Health (DH) in the Health and Social Care act 2008 ( DH, 2015) it requires healthcare providers to have a single standard aseptic technique demonstrable by training and audit. Aseptic technique involves a set of infection prevention actions aimed at protecting patients from infections associated with pathogenic microorganism transmission. central-line associated bloodstream infections) by more than 70% ( CDC, 2009).Īseptic technique is one of the most common and important clinical competencies in healthcare ( Rowley et al, 2010). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports research indicating that healthcare providers and practitioners taking specific targeted steps can reduce some HAI (e.g. In the European Union and European Economic Area it has been estimated that approximately 3.2 million patients per year will have at least one HAI ( European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, 2013). Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is defined by The Association for Safe Aseptic Practice (ASAP) as an infection acquired by a patient as a consequence of exposure to pathogenic organisms via healthcare staff or healthcare facilities ( ASAP, 2014).
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