Aseptic Technique Aseptic Technique Aseptic techniques range from simple practices, such as using alcohol to sterilize the skin, to full surgical asepsis, which involves the use of sterile gowns, gloves, and masks. A series of measures known as an aseptic method is used during clinical procedures to stop the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other germs and to avoid infection. Meaning an certain aseptic field is a designated work area that contains and protects contaminated procedural equipment. It is used in most medical settings. Examples of Aseptic Techniques Sterilization - Hand hygiene is important for preventing infection transmission in healthcare settings. Medical personnel should wash hands with soap and running water for at least a minute, and all surfaces should be sterilized Barriers - It protects the patient from the transfer of pathogens from a healthcare worker, from the environment, or from both by utilizing STERILE GLOVES, STERILE GOWNS, STERILE MASK and STERILE DRAPES Patient and Equipment Preparation - Healthcare providers also use sterile equipment and sterile instruments. To further protect the patient, they apply cleansing and bacteria-killing preparations to the patient’s skin before a procedure. Examples of Aseptic Techniques Environmental controls - Maintaining a sterile environment requires keeping doors closed during an operation. Only necessary health personnel should be at the procedure. The more people present, the more opportunities for harmful bacteria to cause contamination. Contact guidelines - Once healthcare providers have on sterile barriers, they should only touch other sterile items. They should avoid touching nonsterile items at all costs. Decontamination - When performing an aseptic procedure, contaminated instruments and key parts that may come into contact with patient must be made aseptic before use Examples of Aseptic Techniques Other examples are: • No eating or drinking in the lab • Wiping surfaces with disinfectant/alcohol • Not growing microorganisms at body temperature • Using sterile loops when transferring cultures • Flaming culture bottle necks to prevent contamination • Sterilizing (using an autoclave) or disposing of all used equipment • Cleaning and disinfecting lab surfaces prior to use • Limiting the duration that cultures or media are uncapped and exposed to air • Keeping petri dishes closed whenever possible • Effectively sterilizing inoculating loops and other equipment that comes into contact with cultures or media • Avoiding breathing on cultures or sterile instruments When should an aseptic technique be used? Aseptic techniques should be used in the following example situations: • Inserting an invasive device (a urinary catheter) • Dressing wounds healing by primary intention (surgical wounds) • Dressing deep wounds that lead to a cavity or sinus • Minor surgery procedures • Treating burns • Suturing wounds • Vaginal insertion of intrauterine contraceptive devices • Dealing with patients with suppressed immunity, diabetes, or a high risk of infection Clean Technique In some cases, a modified aseptic clean technique can be used. The goal is still to avoid introducing potential pathogens to a vulnerable site and prevent pathogen transmission to other patients or staff. However, wounds that are dressed using a clean technique may already be heavily colonized by bacteria. To ensure that this process is appropriate for the type of wound being dressed, a risk assessment must be performed. Basic principles of an aseptic technique must be followed and sterile dressing materials must be used: • Clean rather than sterile gloves are acceptable. • Good quality potable (drinking) water rather than sterile saline water is acceptable for cleaning traumatic wounds and leg ulcers. Indications for using a clean technique may include: • Removing sutures • Dressing tracheostomy sites • Stoma care What happens when there is a Poor aseptic technique? Wound infection and Sepsis are the two major complications resulting from poor and improper aseptic technique. Sepsis is the most extreme response to an infection, because it occurs due to blood poisoning by bacteria. The primary cause of the Sepsis is the presence of germs, which enter your bloodstream from an infection elsewhere in your body. This can happen through wounds, burns, cuts, and scrapes. Sepsis may progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death. Aseptic Technique In conclusion Aseptic technique is an element of standard precautions that consist of set of practices that protects patients from healthcare-associated infections and protects healthcare workers from contact with blood, body fluid and body tissue. REFERENCES https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_examples_of_aseptic_tec hniques/article.htm https://www.healthline.com/health/hospital-acquired-nosocomialinfections#takeaway https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptomscauses/syc-20351214 https://accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx? bookid=683&sectionid=45343638#:~:text=Wound%20infection%20an d%20sepsis%20are,poor%20and%20improper%20aseptic%20techniq ue. THANK YOU! A simple precaution is better than a cure!
