A scoping review of the aseptic non-touch technique in intravenous therapy: Principles, applications, and training models

The aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) constitutes a standardized clinical framework designed to minimize infectious complications during intravenous therapy. Though widely acknowledged internationally, its uptake and supporting evidence within China's healthcare system have not been systematically clarified. This scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI from 2000 to August 2025 for literature on ANTT's principles, efficacy, training, and implementation in intravenous therapy. Twenty-five studies were included. This review maps the evolution of ANTT principles. Observational and quality improvement studies show an association between ANTT implementation and reduced catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) rates as well as improved procedural compliance. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled cohort studies have not demonstrated statistically significant superiority of ANTT over traditional aseptic techniques for infection outcomes; Existing controlled evidence supports non-inferiority of ANTT, with advantages in procedural efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Evidence confirming independent causal effectiveness of ANTT remains limited. ANTT represents a promising standardized framework for enhancing intravenous therapy safety and procedural consistency. Evidence for independent infection-reduction efficacy remains preliminary and largely derived from observational and quality improvement studies, which often involve bundled concurrent interventions. Successful integration of ANTT in China requires the development of localized, evidence-based protocols, multimodal training resources (including virtual simulation), and context-specific implementation strategies. Future research should prioritize rigorous, multi-center clinical trials to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ANTT across diverse clinical settings in China.