Aseptic technique

What to know

Aseptic technique is an element of standard precautions. The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard Action 3.11 Aseptic technique requires health service organisations to have processes for aseptic technique that:

  • Identify the procedures where aseptic technique applies
  • Assess the competence of the workforce in performing aseptic technique
  • Provide training to address gaps in competency
  • Monitor compliance with the organisation's policies on aseptic technique

Aseptic technique aims to protect patients from the introduction of pathogens during clinical procedures that may cause infections. Consistent, well performed aseptic technique helps prevent and control healthcare-associated infections.

About aseptic technique

There are five essential principles of aseptic technique which can be applied in clinical and non-clinical settings.

  1. Sequencing: refers to actions which ensure the procedure is performed in a safe and appropriate order. This requires:
    • risk assessment: consideration of environmental, procedural (complexity) or patient factors which may increase infection risk and actions required to reduce these risks (for example, choosing a critical aseptic field for a complex procedure of wearing personal protective equipment).
    • pre-procedure preparation: prepare the environment before the procedure. Ensure that the correct equipment is obtained, it is in good condition (integrity of packaging is intact) and items are within expiry date. Each step of the procedure is planned in advance to avoid a breach is asepsis. Ensure patient is prepared for the procedure.
    • perform the procedure: equipment is set up immediately prior the procedure, standard precautions are adhered to at all times, and the procedure is performed in a logical order.
    • post procedure practices: ensure comfort of patient. Items used during the procedure are cleaned, disposed of or reprocessed as per local processes. Outcomes of the procedure are documented.
  2. Environmental control: certain environmental conditions may increase the risk of infection during procedures and should be avoided if possible:
    • bed making, dusting or cleaning
    • use of fans and open windows
    • damaged or rusty procedure trolleys
  3. Hand hygiene: staff should be bare below the elbows (PDF 77 kB) when performing aseptic procedures. Critical moments where hand hygiene should be observed include:
    • before and after collecting equipment
    • after setting up an aseptic field and immediately before donning gloves
    • immediately after the procedure and removing gloves
    • after cleaning up and disposing of equipment and waste
  4. Maintenance of aseptic fields: the aseptic field, key parts and keys sites should always be protected by:
    • using correct skin antiseptic solution
    • adequately cleaning and disinfecting all equipment used in procedure
    • an aseptic field and protecting key sites and key parts throughout procedure
    • use sterile gloves if need to handle sterile equipment during procedure
  5. Personal Protective Equipment: is important to protect both the patient and healthcare worker during aseptic procedures. A risk assessment prior to procedure will ensure procedural risks are identified for example, requirement to wear protective eyewear and surgical mask or determine whether sterile or non-sterile gloves are required.

Download the Principles of aseptic technique: Information for healthcare workers factsheet for more information.

Evidence statement

The content on this page is informed by the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care aseptic technique webpage. The content is not directly reference for ease of reading.

Related links

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Last updated: 23 June 2026