AN EXAMINATION OF NURSES PRACTICES WHEN PERFORMING ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE FOR WOUND DRESSINGS

The purpose of this study was to establish if nurses' actions when car rying out 'aseptic technique' using the 'gloves technique' are simple and based on up-to-date knowledge and do not incur unnecessary wastage . A sample of convenience was used involving 21 trained nurses. Observ ation and formal interviews were used to collect quantitative and qual itative data. Results showed that not all nurses in the sample applied a 'simple aseptic technique'. The rationale for the practice of asept ic technique was not always research based, though other aspects of wo und management were derived from research findings. The study highligh ted other areas of aseptic technique which require investigations.