Question 1

What does aseptic non-touch technique actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means identifying the key parts and the key site and never touching them. For an injection the key parts are the needle, the hub and the syringe tip, with the sterile injectate also kept uncontaminated, and the key site is the prepared skin. Hands are decontaminated immediately before handling sterile equipment, the site is identified before skin preparation, and prepared skin is not touched again before the needle passes through it.

Question 2

Do I need sterile gloves for a joint injection?

Accepted Answer

Not always: where a genuine non-touch technique is used, so the prepared skin and key parts are never contacted, clean non-sterile gloves are widely accepted for a straightforward peripheral injection. Sterile gloves are used where the operator will palpate within the prepared field, for larger or higher-risk procedures, and where local policy requires them. Gloves never replace non-touch technique.

Question 3

Why does the skin antiseptic need to dry?

Accepted Answer

The antiseptic is applied for the manufacturer-specified contact time and allowed to air-dry completely, because injecting through a wet field means injecting through skin that has not been properly prepared. Prepared skin is then not touched again, which would recontaminate it whether or not gloves are worn, unless an appropriately maintained sterile field is used.

Question 4

How do I tell a post-injection flare from an infection?

Accepted Answer

By trajectory and systemic features rather than pain alone. A flare starts within hours, peaks within a day or two, settles with simple analgesia, and the patient stays systemically well. Infection escalates, with increasing pain, a hot swollen joint, severe pain on movement, and fever, rigors or feeling unwell, although fever may be absent early. Escalating symptoms need urgent assessment.

Asepsis and Infection Prevention

Overview

Keep reading for free

Frequently asked questions

Related Topics