Aseptic Technique in the 21st century the way forward 070926
07 Sep 2026, 10:30 - 15:30
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This in-person event will look at sepsis versus cleanliness, and developing a consensus framework for 21st century practice.
Nursing practice is continually evolving. Sometimes change is in line with new evidence but just as often it occurs to meet service demands or for other pragmatic reasons such as cost containment. Aseptic technique is case in point. Its origins, rooted in the science of bacteriology are traceable to the mid-1800s, and it has continued to evolve alongside changes in healthcare delivery. For many years aseptic technique was taught by rote resulting in ritualised practice while overlooking the underpinning principles.
Today nursing practice is vastly more complex than it was in the 1920s when aseptic technique first became a nursing responsibility. As more care is delivered in non-healthcare settings, and with patients and their carers increasingly involved in care of wounds or invasive devices the additional need to consider non-healthcare professional needs is imperative. Given the political drive to provide more care in people’s homes with support from family members or informal carers, and emphasis on achieving ‘net zero’ carbon emissions in line with climate change mitigation this situation represents a significant gap.
The RCN has been undertaking this evolving programme of work in collaboration with SC Johnson Professional. This meeting represents a unique opportunity to condense learning and explore opportunities and benefits offered through a draft consensus framework to co-create best practice principles guiding risk assessment and decision making from a procedural and equipment perspective.
This meeting has the following objectives:
- To share an update on RCN activity to date including progress since July 2025 one day seminar.
- To identify lived experience needs from a patient and nursing perspective when undertaking wound or invasive device care.
- To summarise key sustainability challenges and opportunities to influence reduction in waste and unnecessary costs.
- To co-develop key elements of a consensus framework to inform practice and education.
- To summarise the meeting conclusions and embed these in the RCN final programme report.
Dr Ed Purssell, Associate Professor
Angela Ruskin, University
Heather Gutteridge, Lecturer, Queen Mary’s University, Belfast
12:20-12:40: Digital technologies and innovation update – empowering patient involvement in wound care
Dr Judith Tanner, Professor of Adult Nursing, University of Nottingham
Facilitator led, Dr Nick Drey, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St Georges University of London
Chris Perry, RCN Associate Consultant
Megan Musson
megan.musson@rcn.org.uk
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
Marylebone
London
W1G 0RN
20 Cavendish Square is located behind John Lewis, Oxford Street.
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The nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
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Page last updated - 17/08/2026
