Surgical Aseptic Technique
N001
See SLO’s in Syllabus
Historical perspectives
Remember germs and how to combat
them was discovered in the mid 1800s
 Initially ill family members were cared for
at home
 Now ill members of society are cared for in
the hospital
 Chances of cross contamination are high

Application

Medical aseptic technique“Practices intended to confine a specific
microorganisms to a specific area
 Protective – reduces the numbers of
potentially infectious organisms
 Clean – absence of almost all microorganisms
 Dirty – soiled, denotes the likely presence of
microorganisms some of which could cause
an infection .”(Kozier)

Surgical Asepsis
Sterile technique
 “those practices that keep an area free of
all microorganisms” (Kozier)


Including pathogens & spores
Application of Surgical Asepsis
During procedures that require internal
perforation of a client's skin (IM or IV)
 When the skin’s integrity is broken
(surgical incisions or burns)
 During procedures that involve the
insertion of catheters or surgical
instruments into sterile body cavities
 (Potter & Perry 6thp. 802)

Sterilization Procedures
Steam
 Ethylene oxide



Gas sterilization
Germicidal solutions
Client Preparation

Patient information/education

Pain relief

Elimination needs

Comfort needs
Principles of S.A.T.
The nurse must follow certain principles in
order to maintain surgical asepsis
 Failure to do could result in placing the
client at risk for infection
 These principles are same in all situations
that requiring sterility.


Injections, insertion of catheters etc.
A Sterile Object Remains Sterile Only
When Touched by Another Sterile Object

Sterile touching sterile remains sterile
 Use of sterile gloves & sterile forceps
 Sterile touching clean becomes contaminated
A Sterile Object Remains Sterile Only
When Touched by Another Sterile Object
Sterile touching contaminated becomes
contaminated
 Sterile touching questionable is
contaminated
 When in doubt discard !

Only Sterile Objects May Be
Placed on a Sterile Field
Storage – must be dry and clean
 Appropriate preparation
 Packaging must be intact

A Sterile Object or Field Out of the Range
of Vision or an Object Held Blow the
Person’s Waist Is Contaminated
Never turn your back on a sterile field
 Sterile objects must be kept in view

A Sterile Object or Field Becomes
Contaminated by Prolonged
Exposure to Air
Limit air currents
 Do not laugh, sneeze, or talk over a sterile
field- minimize movement around the
sterile field
 Reach around the sterile field
 When opening sterile equipment hold it as
close as possible without touching the field

When a Sterile Surface Comes Into
Contact With a Wet, Contaminated
Surface, the Sterile Object or Field
Becomes Contaminated by Capillary
Action
Packages must be intact
 Note the water proof barriers
 Work on a dry surface

Fluids Flow in the Direction of
Gravity
Surgical hand scrub
 Hold forceps with tip down

Edges of the Sterile Field or
Container Are Considered
Contaminated
I inch all the way around
 Pour liquid off open bottle discard and
then pour the liquid

Opening Sterile Packages

Be sure and review

Starting p 805 Potter & Perry
Potter & Perry Chapter 33
Opening Sterile
Packages
Adding Sterile items to a sterile field
Assisting a
surgeon with
gowning
Final comments
Professional responsibility
 Ethical component

Honesty
 Integrity
 “Do not harm”

Wrap Up Question

When a nurse is performing a surgical
hand scrub he/she must keep hands:
A. above the elbows
 B. Below the elbows
 C. At a 45 degree angle
 D. In a comfortable position

References

Potter, P.A., Perry, A. G. (2013)
Fundamentals of nursing (8th ed.). St.
Louis, MO: Mosby.