Aseptic Nursing Techniques in Postoperative Care to Prevent Surgical Site Infections

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common after surgery and can slow down patient recovery. They can cause longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and more complications. Nurses play an important role in preventing these infections by using aseptic techniques during post-operative care. For this reason, it is important to understand which techniques are used and how they help prevent infection. The aim of this thesis was to identify the main aseptic nursing techniques used in post-operative care for adult patients and to examine how these techniques help prevent surgical site infections. This thesis was carried out as a descriptive literature review. Nine peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025 were included. The studies used quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and the findings were organised based on the two research questions. The results showed that several aseptic techniques are commonly used in postoperative nursing care settings. These techniques include aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), sterile wound dressing changes, proper surgical hand preparation, structured care bundles, and post-discharge follow-up. These practices help to reduce contamination, limit the spread of microorganisms, support wound healing, and help in early detection of infection. However, the studies also showed that other factors such as staffing levels, available resources, leadership support, and teamwork affect how well these techniques are followed in practice. In conclusion, preventing surgical site infections requires both good nursing skills and support from the healthcare organisation. Improving nurse education, following clear infection prevention guidelines, and strengthening healthcare systems can improve the safety of patients. In order to further develop aseptic nursing practice in adult postoperative care, more research is needed.