Clean Needle Technique: CNT Protocol
Products designed to reduce the density of microbial life on living tissue, particularly on the skin of the
patient or practitioner - answers✔✔Antiseptic
Techniques for preventing infection during invasive procedures (surgical operations, dressing wounds,
etc) - answers✔✔Aseptic techniques
No, because it is not performed in a manner that preserves the sterility of of the acupuncturist's hands,
or the skin of the patient. - answers✔✔Is acupuncture an aseptic procedure?
Clean, although needles must be kept in a sterile condition for CNT. - answers✔✔Is acupuncture a clean
or sterile procedure?
The area that has been prepared to contain the equipment necessary for acupuncture in such a way as
to protect the sterility of the needles. - answers✔✔Clean field
clean surface on which equipment will be placed,
patient's skin around prepared acupuncture points & anything that touches the skin - answers✔✔Clean
field includes
use of techniques that reduce risk of infection by reducing # of pathogens -->reducing the chances for
contact between the pathogens and patient & personnel - answers✔✔Clean technique
introduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, ect. into or onto previously clean or sterile objects,
rendering them unclean or non-sterile - answers✔✔Contamination
chemicals used in disinfection
should only be used on inanimate objects - answers✔✔Disinfectants
, Use of chemicals and procedures designed to destroy or reduce the # of pathogens on inanimate objects
- answers✔✔Disinfection
Use of procedures that destroy ALL microbial life, including viruses. This is a rigid, uncompromising term.
- answers✔✔Sterilization
ALL instruments that pierce the skin and insertion tubes - answers✔✔in acupuncture sterilization is
required for
Always wash hands between patients
Always wash hands before and after needling - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #1
Always use sterile single-use needles and other instruments (such as 7-star hammers and lancets) that
may break the skin - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #2
Always establish a clean field before performing acupuncture - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #3
Always immediately isolate used needles and other sharps - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #4
No, will not be effective - answers✔✔Will alcohol-based hand disinfectants be effective if practitioner's
hands are soiled?
needlestick injuries - answers✔✔Greatest risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission
contaminated needles - answers✔✔Greatest source of risk to the practitioner and patient
1. When hands are visibly dirty or contaminated
2. If hands are not visibly soiled
3. Before contact with patients
4. After contact with patient's intact skin
Products designed to reduce the density of microbial life on living tissue, particularly on the skin of the
patient or practitioner - answers✔✔Antiseptic
Techniques for preventing infection during invasive procedures (surgical operations, dressing wounds,
etc) - answers✔✔Aseptic techniques
No, because it is not performed in a manner that preserves the sterility of of the acupuncturist's hands,
or the skin of the patient. - answers✔✔Is acupuncture an aseptic procedure?
Clean, although needles must be kept in a sterile condition for CNT. - answers✔✔Is acupuncture a clean
or sterile procedure?
The area that has been prepared to contain the equipment necessary for acupuncture in such a way as
to protect the sterility of the needles. - answers✔✔Clean field
clean surface on which equipment will be placed,
patient's skin around prepared acupuncture points & anything that touches the skin - answers✔✔Clean
field includes
use of techniques that reduce risk of infection by reducing # of pathogens -->reducing the chances for
contact between the pathogens and patient & personnel - answers✔✔Clean technique
introduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, ect. into or onto previously clean or sterile objects,
rendering them unclean or non-sterile - answers✔✔Contamination
chemicals used in disinfection
should only be used on inanimate objects - answers✔✔Disinfectants
, Use of chemicals and procedures designed to destroy or reduce the # of pathogens on inanimate objects
- answers✔✔Disinfection
Use of procedures that destroy ALL microbial life, including viruses. This is a rigid, uncompromising term.
- answers✔✔Sterilization
ALL instruments that pierce the skin and insertion tubes - answers✔✔in acupuncture sterilization is
required for
Always wash hands between patients
Always wash hands before and after needling - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #1
Always use sterile single-use needles and other instruments (such as 7-star hammers and lancets) that
may break the skin - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #2
Always establish a clean field before performing acupuncture - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #3
Always immediately isolate used needles and other sharps - answers✔✔CNT basic principle #4
No, will not be effective - answers✔✔Will alcohol-based hand disinfectants be effective if practitioner's
hands are soiled?
needlestick injuries - answers✔✔Greatest risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission
contaminated needles - answers✔✔Greatest source of risk to the practitioner and patient
1. When hands are visibly dirty or contaminated
2. If hands are not visibly soiled
3. Before contact with patients
4. After contact with patient's intact skin
