Asepsis

ASEPSIS
Asepsis is the condition of being free from disease-producing

microorganisms. Aseptic technique implies all those procedures that reduce
or eliminate pathogens and their actions or minimize their areas of
existence. Confusion sometimes results from erroneously thinking that
medical asepsis and surgical asepsis are the same except one is used on a
medical ward and the other is used in a surgical ward. This is not so. Some
of the differences between medical aseptic technique and surgical aseptic
technique are listed below.
a. Types & Definitions.
(1) Medical asepsis. All of the procedures used to protect the patient and his
environment from the spread of infectious organisms.
(2) Surgical asepsis. All of the procedures used to sterilize and to keep sterile
any objects or articles that are to be introduced into a wound or body cavity
or that is to penetrate the skin.
b. Emphasis.
(1) Medical asepsis. Cleanliness (freedom from most pathogenic organisms).
(2) Surgical asepsis. Sterility (freedom from all microorganisms).
c. Purpose.
(1) Medical asepsis. To reduce the transmission of pathogenic organisms
from patient to another person.
(2) Surgical asepsis. To prevent introduction of any organism into an open
wound on the patient or into a body cavity.
d. Isolation.
(1) Medical asepsis. Patients with a communicable disease are separated
from the rest of the patients by room, ward, or unit.
(2) Surgical asepsis. Patients requiring surgery are taken to the operating
room of the hospital.
e. Zone.
(1) Medical asepsis. A zone about the isolation unit is established as
contaminated. Everything within the zone of isolation is contaminated.
Nothing goes out of the zone without being disinfected or wrapped in a clean
cover to permit handling in a clean zone.
(2) Surgical asepsis. A zone about the site of operation or wound is
established as a sterile field. Once a sterile article touches an unsterile
article, it is contaminated (unsterile). Only sterile articles are brought into
the sterile field.
f. Handwashing.
(1) Medical asepsis. Hands and forearms are washed for 1 to 2 minutes to
remove surface contaminants and soil. Hands and arms are dried with paper
towels.
(2) Surgical asepsis. Hands and forearms are scrubbed for 10 minutes to
reduce the bacterial count on the skin surface. Hands and arms are dried
with a sterile towel.
g. Gowns.
(1) Medical asepsis. Clean gowns are worn to protect the worker. Inside of
gown is clean; outside of gown in contact with patient and his environment
is contaminated.
(2) Surgical asepsis. Sterile gowns are worn to protect the patient from the
worker. Outside of gown that is in contact with the sterile field must be kept
sterile.
h. Status of Patient.
(1) Medical asepsis. Reservoir of infection.
(2) Surgical asepsis. Potential host (other people and environment are
reservoirs of infection).
i. Goals.
(1) Medical asepsis. Confine disease organisms and prevent spread to
others.
(2) Surgical asepsis. Reduce number of organisms and prevent spread of
infection to others.
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
a. Aseptic technique is a discipline that consists of a series of events to

guard the patient against infection. This procedure is used to reduce the
direct or indirect transfer of germs to any surface, article, or person.
(1) With traumatic wounds, which are assumed to be contaminated

beforehand, aseptic technique refers to applying a dressing in a manner so
that additional contamination is not induced.
(2) In administration of preparations by injection or infusion, it refers to
measures designed to prevent or minimize introduction of pathogens
beneath the skin.
(3) In surgery, it normally implies sterile conditions in and around the patient
area.
b. Treatment personnel can carry out aseptic technique by:
(1) Keeping their hands clean and as free from contamination as possible.
(2) Ensuring that all sterile items are kept free from all organisms. (Dressings
that are to be applied to wounds, needles, and instruments to be inserted
through the skin, and syringes to be filled for injection into the body must
not touch anything unsterile before being used.)
(3) Keeping from breathing, coughing, or sneezing on wounds or sterile

items.
Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique)

. Introduction
A. Medical asepsis is the state of being free from disease causing
microorganisms. Medical asepsis is
concerned with eliminating the spread of microorganisms through facility
practices.
B. Essential components of maintaining medical asepsis in a facility include:

1. handwashing
2. utilizing gloves, gown and mask as indicated
3. cleaning equipment
4. handling linens in ways that prevent germs from spreading
C. Medical asepsis protects both residents and caregivers from becoming ill.
D. Health care facilities have infection control policies and procedures which
personnel must follow in an attempt to control the spread of germs/infection.
You will need to become familiar with these policies.
E. The scientific term for germs is microorganisms. Microorganisms are:

1. too small to be seen
2. located everywhere
a. in the air
b. in the water
c. in food
d. in clothes
F. Not all microorganisms are harmful. Some are used to make medications
such as penicillin.
G. Microorganisms can be spread by:

1. touching someone who has an infection.
2. touching the linens or other belongings of a person who has an infection.
3. sneezing or coughing
4. handling or consuming contaminated food, medications or water.
H. Medical aseptic practices are involved in all nursing activities because

microorganisms are always present in the environment. An awareness of
how microorganisms are transmitted is essential for safe caregiving
practices.
. Isolation procedures are used when a resident may have a disease

that is easily spread from one person to another.
A. Be sure to learn the isolation procedures of your facility. Under the system
of Standard Precautions, types of isolation include:
1. Contact Isolation - for C-difficile, conjunctivitis, MRSA, etc.
2. Droplet Isolation - for influenza, pneumonia, streptococcal disease, etc.
3. Airborne Isolation - for tuberculosis
B. If a resident is placed in strict isolation, he/she is placed in a separate

room to prevent others from becoming infected.
1. Care providers and visitors will be required to wear a gown, mask and
gloves before entering the residents room.
2. All linen and other items that come in contact with this resident will be
given special handling in order to avoid spreading germs.
C. Residents who are vulnerable to infection may be placed in reverse
isolation.
1. The resident is isolated in order to protect him/her from contracting a
disease from others.
2. Remember, residents who are in reverse isolation may feel alone and will
need extra reassurance.
. Aseptic Technique Used When Providing Care and Treatment

A. When administering medications and when performing procedures
1. Wash your hands or utilize alcohol foam/gel before and after
administering medications or performing a treatment.
2. Review the policies and procedures of your facility for the use of hand
foam/gel for hand sanitization.
Handwashing
A. Review Handwashing/Standard Precautions
B. Procedure for handwashing includes:
1. Turn on faucet with a clean paper towel.
2. Adjust water to acceptable temperature.
3. Put soap on hands.
4. Lather all areas of hands and wrists, rubbing vigorously for at least 10
seconds.
5. Clean nails by rubbing them in palm of other hand.
6. Rinse thoroughly, running water down from wrists to fingertips.
7. Pat dry with paper towel.
8. Turn off faucet with paper towel and discard towel immediately.
C. Important Considerations:
1. Faucets may be operated either by knee control, foot pedal or hand
levers. These are the three types of faucets commonly found in health care
facilities.
2. Use warm water. Hot or cold water tends to dry the skin.
3. Once you begin washing your hands, do not touch the sink, faucets,
counters or your clothing. Ifyou touch anything that is not aseptic, your
hands will become contaminated and you must start over again.
4. Be cautious not to get your uniform wet while you are washing your hands
in that when it is wet, it is more susceptible to carry microorganisms.
5. Most soaps found in your home and in health care facilities are non-
antiseptic soaps. These do not kill pathogens but only help loosen them so
that you can rinse them away. When you wash with a non-antiseptic soap,
you must use friction and rotary motions to help loosen and remove
pathogens. You must also rinse thoroughly in that any pathogens remaining
on your hands will recontaminate them. Antiseptic soaps kill many
microorganisms.
6. Point your hands and wrists downward as you rinse to prevent the soap
from running back onto the clean part of your hands and recontaminating
them.
7. If there are hand levers on the sinks, use the last paper towel you used to
dry your hands to turn off the faucet. The water on the paper towel provides
a water barrier between your clean hands and the dirty faucet.
Cleaning Equipment
A. The facility will have cleaning policies and procedures addressing the
disinfecting of common use equipment shared by multiple residents (e.g.,
shower chairs, bedpans, etc.).
B. Each caregiver must be knowledgeable of solutions/chemicals to be used
as well as correct use (i.e., length of time necessary to soak, etc.) in an
effort to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.
Linens
A. Soiled linens are to be contained at the source.
B. Clean linens must be carried away from the uniform of the caregiver to
prevent potential contamination.
C. Linens are to be stored and transported in a manner to prevent the

spread of harmful microorganisms.

Asepsis - Medical

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asepsis - Medical

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asepsis - Medical

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asepsis is the condition of being free from disease-producing

a. Types & Definitions.

a. Aseptic technique is a discipline that consists of a series of events to

(1) With traumatic wounds, which are assumed to be contaminated

b. Treatment personnel can carry out aseptic technique by:

(3) Keeping from breathing, coughing, or sneezing on wounds or sterile

Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique)

B. Essential components of maintaining medical asepsis in a facility include:

E. The scientific term for germs is microorganisms. Microorganisms are:

G. Microorganisms can be spread by:

H. Medical aseptic practices are involved in all nursing activities because

. Isolation procedures are used when a resident may have a disease

B. If a resident is placed in strict isolation, he/she is placed in a separate

. Aseptic Technique Used When Providing Care and Treatment

C. Linens are to be stored and transported in a manner to prevent the

You might also like