ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the principles of the aseptic non-touch technique. Skin is the largest organ of the body – about two square metres in volume, weighing about six pounds. There are three layers in skin, and each layer has a specific function. They are: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. Haemostasis is the body’s natural response to injury. Proliferation/granulation phase usually goes on between days 3 and 14, and may overlap with the first phase. This is an important phase in wounds where there is skin loss. Primary healing is also called first intention healing, and this occurs when the wound closes by the coming together of the wound edges, either spontaneously or with intervention such as with sutures or clips. Wound infection occurs when there are sufficient pathogens present in the wound so that they cause damage to the body tissue, and ultimately provoke a host reaction.
