Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT®)

Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT®) states that the key principle to preventing infection is to maintain the asepsis of Key Parts and Key Sites.

Rule of ANTT®: Key Parts must only come into contact with other Key Parts or Key Sites.

Aseptic: free from pathogenic micro-organisms that can be introduced by hands, surfaces and/or equipment.

Non-Touch: method used to prevent contamination of Key Parts and Key Sites by hands, surfaces or equipment.

Technique: assess the risk of contamination and choosing the appropriate approach.

Healthcare practitioners should risk assess each procedure, bearing in mind the condition and location of the patient, type of VAD, anticipated length of time for procedure and the number of key parts and key sites to decide the approach required. The NHSA&A ANTT® guideline can be found here. Further information on ANTT® approach can be found on the ANTT website.

ANTT® terminology

Key Part: the critical parts of the equipment, that if contaminated will transfer micro-organisms to the patient e.g. tip of needle or syringe

Key Site: any break in the patient’s skin integrity that allows an entry point for micro-organisms e.g. insertion site of VADs.

Micro Critical Aseptic Field: the protection of Key Parts by utilising caps, inside of wrappers or covers, ensuring asepsis.

Critical Aseptic Field: is used when there are a large number of Key Parts and Key Sites or the complexity of the procedure means that they cannot be protected through the use of Micro Critical Aseptic Fields. A larger sterile surface is utilised such as a sterile dressing pack and/or drape(s) and sterile gloves, ensuring asepsis.

Decontamination: a general term that refers to one or more of the processes below:

Clean: reduce the bio burden and remove foreign material. In healthcare settings it is typically performed with water, soap or detergent and materials such as paper towels or impregnated wipes.
Disinfection: the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, usually by thermal or chemical means.
Sterilisation: a process by which all viable forms of microorganisms (including spores) are destroyed.

Standard ANTT® approach

Suitable for uncomplicated procedures where the Key Parts and Key Sites are identified and protected by Micro Critical Aseptic Fields, such as the inside of a syringe wrapper or a sterile cap.

Surgical ANTT® approach

Suitable for complicated procedures with many Key Parts and Key Sites and a Critical Aseptic Field, such as sterile dressing pack and/or sterile drapes. Sterile gloves may be necessary to maintain asepsis of the Critical Aseptic Field.