Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings, accounting for millions of preventable complications worldwide each year.1 Nurses, who carry out the majority of invasive procedures, play a pivotal role in reducing these infections. The aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) framework offers a standardised, evidence-based method to prevent contamination and reduce infection risks during clinical procedures.2 ANTT is a clinical practice framework developed to maintain asepsis during invasive procedures by protecting key parts, which are the sterile components of equipment, and key sites, which are the patient sites vulnerable to infection.3 The focus of ANTT is on maintaining sterility of key parts and key sites, thereby preventing the transfer of microorganisms during routine and complex clinical care. The principles of ANTT are grounded in simple yet effective practices. Hand hygiene forms the cornerstone, requiring thorough cleaning before and after every procedure.4 Equally important is the avoidance of contamination of key parts and key sites by ensuring they are never touched directly. Nurses are encouraged to use non-touch techniques, handling only non-critical areas of equipment with confidence. In addition, risk-based precautions must be applied, such as the use of gloves, sterile fields or barriers, depending on the complexity of the procedure.3 Despite widespread awareness, lapses in ANTT continue to occur in clinical practice. Common mistakes include re-palpating insertion sites after skin antisepsis,4,5 touching sterile tips of catheters during insertion, leaving IV line tips exposed to the environment and failing to disinfect injection ports before administering medication.6 Such breaches can contribute to bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and wound infections, which remain some of the most prevalent HAIs. Barriers to effective implementation of ANTT are often related to the realities of nursing practice. High nurse–patient ratios lead to hurried procedures, while limited access to sterile equipment in resource-constrained settings makes compliance challenging. Longstanding habits and resistance to practice change further hinder adherence, and in emergencies, aseptic standards are frequently overlooked.1 The importance of ANTT in reducing HAIs cannot be overstated. HAIs increase patient morbidity, extend hospital stays and escalate healthcare costs.1 Evidence suggests that implementation of ANTT has led to reductions in catheter-related bloodstream infections and improved patient safety outcomes.2 Structured ANTT programmes have demonstrated effectiveness in improving compliance with infection prevention measures and reducing device-related infections.3 To improve adherence, multiple strategies can be employed. Regular education sessions and refresher training programmes help reinforce ANTT practices among nurses.5 Simulation-based practice can strengthen skills and confidence, while ensuring the availability of sterile supplies across wards eliminates practical barriers. Routine audits combined with feedback mechanisms allow institutions to monitor compliance and identify areas of improvement. Furthermore, strong institutional policy support, such as mandating ANTT as a standard practice, ensures its integration into everyday nursing care.7 In conclusion, ANTT provides nurses with a simple, standardised and effective framework to prevent HAIs. By maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding contamination of key parts and practicing risk-based precautions, nurses can implement small but critical changes that lead to safer patient outcomes and reduced infection-related costs. Embedding ANTT into routine practice requires not only the commitment of nurses but also strong institutional support, regular training and consistent monitoring. Together, these measures can transform infection prevention efforts and safeguard patient health. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of Interest There are no conflicts of interest.
M. Priya (Mon,) studied this question.