A.N.T.T.

The Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (A.N.T.T.) is a standardized approach to aseptic practice, ensuring that only sterile equipment and fluids come into direct contact with susceptible body sites. It's crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Let's delve into the steps we need to follow to ensure proper A.N.T.T.

1. Preparation

Before we begin, we need to gather all necessary equipment and ensure our workspace is clean. This includes selecting the appropriate utensils and ensuring they are sterile.

2. Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is paramount. We must wash our hands thoroughly using an appropriate technique. This involves wetting hands with water, applying enough soap to cover all hand surfaces, rubbing hands palm to palm, and ensuring all parts of the hands and wrists are scrubbed. After rinsing, hands should be dried with a single-use towel.

3. Donning Sterile Gloves

Once our hands are clean, we need to wear sterile gloves. It's essential to ensure that the gloves do not come into contact with non-sterile surfaces during the donning process.

4. Preparing the Patient

Inform the patient about the procedure. Ensure the patient's skin is clean. If required, clean the area with an appropriate antiseptic solution and allow it to dry.

5. Aseptic Field Preparation

Set up a sterile field using a sterile drape. Only sterile items should be placed within this field. Remember, the outer wrapping of sterile items is considered non-sterile.

6. Procedure

Perform the necessary procedure, ensuring that only sterile items or areas are touched. If an item becomes contaminated, it must be replaced.

7. Disposal of Waste

All waste materials, including used gloves, swabs, and needles, should be disposed of in appropriate waste bins. Sharps should be discarded in a designated sharps container.

8. Hand Hygiene (Post-Procedure)

After completing the procedure and disposing of waste, we must perform hand hygiene again to ensure any contaminants are removed.

9. Documentation

Finally, document the procedure, noting any complications or issues that arose. Proper documentation is essential for patient safety and continuity of care.

For wound re-dressing preparation, we typically require the following:

• Sterile gloves: To ensure that the wound is not contaminated during the dressing process.
• Sterile dressing pack: This usually includes forceps, dressing pad, and a tray.
• Dressing materials: Depending on the wound type, this could be: hydrocolloid dressings (maintain a moist wound environment) like Duoderm, foam dressings (absorb excess fluid) like Allevyn, alginate dressings (for wounds with moderate to high exudate, such as cavity wounds and pressure ulcers) like Kaltostat, hydrogel dressings (support wound debridement, and treat burns and radiation-damaged skin) like Intrasite Gel, or film dressings (transparent sheets used for superficial wounds) like Tegaderm.
• Antiseptic solution: Chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine to clean the wound and surrounding area.
• Sterile saline solution: For wound cleaning, especially if there's debris or exudate.
• Waste bin and sharps container: For proper disposal of used materials and sharps.
• Adhesive strips or medical tape: To secure dressings if needed.