aseptic technique Flashcards
Aseptic/clinical hand hygiene is done to
emove as many
transient microorganisms as possible from your arms and
hands, and to limit the growth of resident microorganisms by
leaving an antimicrobial residue on your skin
Clinical hand hygiene
is undertaken prior to any care activity involving direct or indirect contact with a person’s mucous membrane, non intact skin or an invasive medical device, to limit
microorganism transmission
Surgical hand wash or scrubbing is undertaken to
remove transient micro organisms from hands before undertaking invasive procedures, and also aims to inhibit further microorganisms growth for several hour
Surgical hand washes are done before
Surgical hand washes are done before
The Australian College of
Operating Room Nurses Standards (ACORN) (2013) advocates
a five-minute
scrub time for your first scrub of the day, and a
three-minute scrub time for subsequent scrubs.
Hand hygiene effectiveness is improved when
your skin is intact; your nails are natural, short and unvarnished; your hands
and forearms are free from jewellery; and your sleeves are above the elbows
The first five-minute scrub
First step (one minute)
Open the sponge pack
Start timing
Open the sponge pack
open the sponge pack
Check the pack for holes to ensure sterility (gently squeeze it – it should resist). Carefully peel the edges back to expose the
sponge. The fully open sponge pack with an orange stick or similar is placed at a convenient location
Start timing
eep your hands higher than your elbows at all times to avoid contaminating them with bacteria-laden soap and water. Wet
your hands from fingertips to wrists to elbows and apply sufficient antimicrobial soap to ensure your skin is adequately
covered to 2.5 cm above your elbow.
Apply 5 mL of antimicrobial solution, following the manufacturer’s instructions, without touching the container with your
hands. Most containers at scrub sinks use elbow, knee or foot triggers to access the solution.
Second step (two minutes)
wash your hands and forearms again, time stop at your mid forearm
n completion, rinse your hands and forearms. Finally, rinse your hands and forearms thoroughly as described in the
third step of the five-minute surgical hand wash.
Approach the gown trolley and carefully grasp the sterile towel to avoid contamination of the sterile field by contact with
drips from your hands which are clean, not sterile.
Step back from the sterile field with your hands outstretched and allow the towel to unfold.
Scrub using an alcohol-based hand rub solution procedure
a five-minute standardised scrubbing procedure undertaken prior to your first scrubbing
procedure of the day using an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) solution. Use the ABHR solution in conjunction with the
manufacturer’s instructions
Rinse and thoroughly dry hands prior to commencing the rub procedure. You must perform a social hand wash prior to
subsequent scrubbing procedures using ABHR solution and rinse and dry hands. Always ensure you have sufficient ABHR to
keep hands and forearms wet throughout the procedure.Rinse and thoroughly dry hands prior to commencing the rub procedure. You must perform a social hand wash prior to
subsequent scrubbing procedures using ABHR solution and rinse and dry hands. Always ensure you have sufficient ABHR to
keep hands and forearms wet throughout the procedure.
Scrub using an alcohol-based hand rub solution procedure first step
Use your right elbow to operate the dispenser. Dispense approximately 5 mL (three doses) of ABHR solution into the palm of
your left hand.
Dip your right-hand fingertips into ABHR solution to decontaminate under your nails. Smear ABHR onto your right
forearm up to the elbow. Ensure the whole skin area is covered by using circular movements around the forearm until the
hand rub has completely evaporated. Repeat procedure for your left arm.
Use your right elbow to operate the dispenser. Dispense approximately 5 mL (three doses) of ABHR solution into the palm of
your left hand.
Dip your right-hand fingertips into ABHR solution to decontaminate under your nails. Smear ABHR onto your right
forearm up to the elbow. Ensure the whole skin area is covered by using circular movements around the forearm until the
hand rub has completely evaporated. Repeat procedure for your left arm.
Scrub using an alcohol-based hand rub solution procedure
Second step
Cover the whole surface of your hands up to the wrist with ABHR, rubbing palm against palm with a rotating movement until
the hand rub has completely evaporated.
Third step
Scrub using an alcohol-based hand rub solution procedure
Rub the backs of your hands, including the wrists, moving back and forth. Rub palm against palm back and forth with fingers
interlinked. Rub the back of your fingers in the palm of your other hand with a sideways back and forth movement and rub
your thumbs by rotating it in your clasped palm.
Allow your hands and forearms to dry thoroughly prior to putting on your sterile surgical clothing and gloves
