What does 'aseptic technique' aim to prevent?

The aim of aseptic technique is to prevent contamination during medical procedures. This method involves various practices that ensure the environment, instruments, and the healthcare provider themselves are free from pathogens and contaminants that could potentially cause infection. By maintaining a sterile field and using sterile instruments, the risk of transferring harmful microorganisms to a patient is significantly reduced. This is particularly essential in procedures such as surgeries, injections, and other interventions where open wounds or bodily fluids are involved.

While infection prevention during surgeries is certainly a critical outcome of proper aseptic technique, it is a specific application of the broader goal of avoiding contamination in all types of medical procedures. The same logic applies to the spread of viruses in healthcare and the challenge of antibiotic resistance, as those are considerations affected by infection control practices but are not the primary focus of what aseptic technique directly seeks to prevent.