Running head: ASEPSIS
1
Asepsis
Amy Horton
Bryant & Stratton College
ASEPSIS
2
Infection Control in the Office or Ambulatory Setting
Infection control is methods to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious
microorganisms. (Lindh, Pooler, Tamparo, Dahl, & Morris, 2014) The infection control
procedures include hand washing to reduce pathogens on the hands and wrists which decrease
direct and indirect transmission of infectious microorganisms. Correct use of alcohol-based hand
rubs to avoid transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care personnel. Remove
contaminated gloves properly to contain exposure. Wear a gown, mask and cap to provide
barriers for Medical Assistant to be protected from airborne, contact or droplet infectious
diseases. Sanitization of equipment to properly clean instruments to remove tissue and
debris.(Lindh, et al.,2014) As a medical assistant I will use infectious control procedures by
washing my hands to break the cycle of infection. Apply principles of infection control in the
office setting. I will follow correct sanitation disinfection and sterilization procedures. I will
help patients understand basic disease prevention and educate them about immunizations. I will
administer immunizations (Heller, 2013).
Personal Protective Equipment
There are four types of Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves, Masks Gowns and
Goggles. Gloves are used by a Medical Assistant to reduce the risk for contamination on hands
but they do not prevent needled or other sharp instruments from penetrating the skin. Wear
gloves when you have contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, mucus
membranes, non-intact skin or potentially contaminated intact skin could occur. Masks and
goggles reduce the contamination risk to mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth during
procedures and patient care that may generate splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions and
ASEPSIS
3
excretions A gown is worn to protect skin and clothing of contamination during procedures and
patient care when in contact with blood and body fluids (Lindh, et al.,2014).
Asepsis
Medical Asepsis is the process of hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting contaminated
surfaces and using standard and transmission based precautions. This is used to destroy
pathologic organisms. Objects should be medically aseptic if they are used on the body or will
be used inside the body. Using these methods carefully greatly reduces the presence of
pathogens that could cause disease in others. Surgical asepsis means all microbial is destroyed
before an invasive procedure is performed. All equipment must be sterile. Surgical asepsis must
be performed after each procedure is done. Procedures such as inserting a sterile catheter into a
urinary bladder, creating an opening in the skin or giving an injection. Asepsis is important
because using this method carefully breaks the chain of infection that could cause disease in
others. (Lindh, et al.,2014)
Asepsis and Clinical Procedures
The difference between surgical and medical asepsis: Medical asepsis, or clean technique,
includes procedures used to reduce the number of pathogens present, and prevent the transfer of
pathogens. Surgical asepsis, or sterile technique, prevents contamination of an open wound,
serves to isolate the operative area from the unsterile environment, and maintains a sterile field
for surgery. (Potter & Perry. Fundamentals of nursing. 7th ed. pgs 665 & 668.).
A. Administering oral medication requires medical asepsis. PPE needed is gloves and
masks (Heller, 2013).
ASEPSIS
4
B. Inserting sutures requires surgical asepsis because you are penetrating the skin. PPE
needed is gloves, mask, gown and goggles (Heller, 2013).
C. Taking an oral temperature is medical asepsis. PPE needed is gloves (Heller, 2013).
D. Applying an elastic bandage to the forearm for support is medical asepsis. PPE needed is
gloves (Heller, 2013).
E. Performing a needle biopsy requires surgical asepsis because the procedure penetrates the
skin. PPE needed is gloves, mask, gown and goggles (Heller, 2013).
F. Removing a sebaceous cyst requires surgical asepsis because the skin surface is being
penetrated. PPE needed is gloves, mask and gown and goggles (Heller, 2013).
G. Obtaining a PAP smear is a medical procedure. PPE needed is gloves (Heller, 2013).
H. Inserting a urinary catheter is a surgical procedure because the bladder is a sterile organ.
PPE needed is gloves and gown (Heller, 2013).
I. Inserting an IUD is a surgical procedure because it is a sterile organ. PPE needed is
gloves, mask and gown (Heller, 2013).
J. Applying a dressing to an open wound is a surgical procedure because you are caring for
broken skin. PPE needed are gloves, mask, gown and goggles (Heller, 2013).
I will use asepsis when performing clinical procedures because I will be assisting a Doctor with
procedures and need to make sure everything involved is made as free of pathogens as possible.
ASEPSIS
5
References
Heller, M.E.(2013). Delmar’s clinical handbook for the medical office (3rded.). Clifton Park,
NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Lindh, W.Q., Pooler, M.S., Tamparo, C.D, Dahl, B.M., & Morris, J.A.(2014). Delmar’s
comprehensive medical assisting (5thed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Potter & Perry. Fundamentals of nursing. 7th ed.
ASEPSIS
6