Sterile technique is used to prevent contamination with microbes, preventing infection. It’s used in conjunction with other procedures and isn’t a procedure in itself. Sterile technique should be followed any time the patient’s skin is intentionally perforated, during procedures that involve entry into a sterile body cavity, or when coming into contact with nonintact skin resulting from trauma or surgery. Procedures requiring sterile technique include inserting a urinary catheter, inserting an IV catheter, dispensing and administering IV drugs, and changing surgical dressings. A patient with a compromised immune system (such as a burn patient or a patient who has just had an organ transplant or is receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy) also requires sterile technique, even for some procedures that would normally require only clean technique.