During a sterile bedside procedure, what is the correct action if a break in sterility occurs?

During a sterile bedside procedure, what is the correct action if a break in sterility occurs?

• A. Breaks in sterile technique are acceptable in busy units
• B. Keep sterile gloves on after contamination
• C. Use non-sterile supplies if sterile supplies run out
• D. Identify the break in asepsis and provide another set of sterile supplies

Answer: (D)

Maintaining sterile technique hinges on recognizing and correcting any break in sterility to protect the patient from infection. When a breach occurs, the correct action is to identify the break and re-create the sterile environment by obtaining a new set of sterile supplies and re-establishing a sterile field. This prevents contaminated items from being used and stops the spread of pathogens. Keeping gloves on after contamination or using non-sterile supplies would continue the risk, and breaks aren’t acceptable even in busy units—the priority is patient safety. Stop, assess the breach, and reset the sterile field with fresh supplies before continuing.

Maintaining sterile technique hinges on recognizing and correcting any break in sterility to protect the patient from infection. When a breach occurs, the correct action is to identify the break and re-create the sterile environment by obtaining a new set of sterile supplies and re-establishing a sterile field. This prevents contaminated items from being used and stops the spread of pathogens. Keeping gloves on after contamination or using non-sterile supplies would continue the risk, and breaks aren’t acceptable even in busy units—the priority is patient safety. Stop, assess the breach, and reset the sterile field with fresh supplies before continuing.