Clean Needle Technique: CNT Protocol
Antiseptic
Products designed to reduce the density of microbial life on living tissue, particularly on the skin
of the patient or practitioner
Aseptic techniques
Techniques for preventing infection during invasive procedures (surgical operations, dressing
wounds, etc)
Is acupuncture an aseptic procedure?
No, because it is not performed in a manner that preserves the sterility of of the acupuncturist's
hands, or the skin of the patient.
Is acupuncture a clean or sterile procedure?
Clean, although needles must be kept in a sterile condition for CNT.
Clean field
The area that has been prepared to contain the equipment necessary for acupuncture in such a
way as to protect the sterility of the needles.
Clean field includes
clean surface on which equipment will be placed,
patient's skin around prepared acupuncture points & anything that touches the skin
Clean technique
use of techniques that reduce risk of infection by reducing # of pathogens -->reducing the
chances for contact between the pathogens and patient & personnel
Contamination
introduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, ect. into or onto previously clean or sterile
objects, rendering them unclean or non-sterile
Disinfectants
chemicals used in disinfection
should only be used on inanimate objects
Disinfection
Use of chemicals and procedures designed to destroy or reduce the # of pathogens on inanimate
objects
Sterilization
Use of procedures that destroy ALL microbial life, including viruses. This is a rigid,
uncompromising term.
in acupuncture sterilization is required for
ALL instruments that pierce the skin and insertion tubes
