When should sterile technique be employed during catheter insertion?

Sterile technique should always be employed during catheter insertion to minimize the risk of infection. The insertion process involves breaking the skin barrier, and any introduction of bacteria can lead to complications such as catheter-related bloodstream infections. Maintaining sterility ensures that the area remains free from microorganisms, providing the safest environment for inserting the catheter.

While there are certainly other procedures related to catheter management that also require sterile techniques, such as dressing changes, the critical time to ensure a sterile field is during insertion itself. This moment is when the greatest risk occurs, so it is essential to adhere to sterile protocols to safeguard patient health regardless of the patient's risk level or the specific type of catheter being used.