Principles of Surgical Asepsis

1. A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object.
• Sterile touching sterile remains sterile.
• Sterile touching clean becomes contaminated.
• Sterile touching contaminated becomes contaminated.
• Sterile touching questionable is contaminated.
• Only sterile objects may be placed on a sterile field.
2. A sterile object or field out of range of vision, or an object held below a person's waist, is contaminated.
3. Never turn your back on a sterile field.
4. A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air.
5. When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action.
6. Always hold your hands above the level of your elbows.
7. The edges of a sterile field or container are considered contaminated.