Does anybody use sterile technique anymore?

[bookwormom]

I'm a nursing instructor, and I teach my students to use sterile technique when changing dressings. However, in over twenty years of clinical teaching, I have yet to see nurses actually using sterile technique to change dressings. When I used to take care of neurosurgical patients (a long time ago) I always used sterile technique. What would be the rationale for not using sterile technique when changing postoperative dressings?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Updated link:

WOCN Position Statement Clean Versus Sterile: Management of Chronic Wounds ...

[h=3]Wound Care Principles[/h]

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Most post-op incisions and even drain sites are open to air unless there is drainage, I don't use sterile procedure if the sole purpose for the dressing is drainage. For wounds that are packed, I certainly use sterile technique as best as i can ........

[AngelicDarkness]

In retirement we use a lot of clean vs sterile techniques. I still have the same dressing kits I ordered when we opened.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

We use only use sterile technique for central line dressings. All of our post-op dressing changes are clean technique.