Common breaks in sterile technique: clinical perspectives and perioperative implications.

Prevention of health care-associated infections, specifically surgical site infections, is a fundamental responsibility of the perioperative team. Breaks in sterile technique can and do occur, even for the most conscientious perioperative practitioners. Surgical site infections are associated with unnecessary patient pain and suffering and increased lengths of hospital stay and health care costs. Prevention of surgical site infections, therefore, takes on great significance in today's dynamic health care environment. Key responsibilities of perioperative nurses are to recognize and correct common breaks in sterile technique that are made in preparation for and during a surgical procedure and to implement methods to prevent future occurrences. Copyright 2010 AORN, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.