Asepsis and Sterile Technique Flashcards
Antisepsis
destruction or inhibition of growth of micro-granisms from body tissue or skin
Antiseptic
chemical compounds used on the skin/tissues to combat sepsis
Asepsis
absence of pathogenic organisms
Aseptic technique
methods which contamination with microorganisms is prevented in the surgical enviroment
Bacteriocidal
substance that kills bacteria
Bacteriostatic
substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria
Contamination
presence of microorganisms
Disinfectant
chemical agent that kills microbes on inanimate objects
Fomite
an inanimate object that harbors micro-organisms
where is the gown sterile field?
gowns are considered sterile waist to mid-chest in front and the sleeves 2” above the elbow
when should masks be handled?
masks should be handled by the strings or elastic when removing
table sterility (5)
- only sterile on top
- changing from one level to another changes sterile field potentially rendering gown unsterile
- when moving, hands well below drapes
- sterile tables not set up/covered until time of surgery
- sterile team does not lean or sit on sterile surfaces
what happens to sterile solutions after being poured?
they’re discarded
Community Acquired Infection
natural disease process that developed prior to patients admission
Communicable Infection
infection transmitted from one person to another
Spontaneous Infection (2)
localized infection that requires surgical diagnosis and treatment (appendicitis)
Healthcare Acquired Infection (2)
- acquired during the course of healthcare
- degree of contamination relative to time of exposure
Exogenous Health Care Acquired Infection (2)
- acquired from sources outside the body
- cross-contamination
Endogenous Health Care Acquired Infection (2)
- develops from source within the body
- ex. intestinal flora enters abdominal cavity
Surgical Site Infection
-wound infection
what temperature should laundry be washed at?
160 degrees
Characteristics of the OR (8)
- positive pressure greater than that in hallway
- temp 68-73
- humidity 20%-60%
- ceiling minimum 10ft
- seamless floors
- xray view box
- clocks
- cabinets
Components of Mayo Stand (3)
- removable tray
- draping mayo stand
- refolding mayo cover
Surg tech focused OR tables (3)
- back table
- instrument table
- case cart
sterile technique
prevents transfer of microorganisms into body tissues during invasive procedures
classification of patient care items (3)
- Critical
- Semi-Critical
- Non-Critical
critical items
tems entering the body tissue; item must be sterile
semi-critical items (2)
- items in contact with the skin or the mucous membrane
- must be disinfected
non critical items
items in contact with intact skin or mucous membrane AWAY from surgical site; item cleaned/terminally disinfected
Application of Sterile Technique
- no reaching/leaning over sterile field
- edges of anything enclosing sterile item is unsterile
- 1” border unsterile/inner edge packs demarcation line
- sterile field prepped close to surgery as possible
- contact with sterile field minimum
- unsterile persons maintain 1ft from sterile areas
- integrity breach microbial barrier = contamination
- sterile field always kept in view
