Aseptic technique Flashcards
Define sepsis
presence of pathogens +/- toxic products in tissues (asepsis = opposite of this)
Define antiseptic
chemical agent that kills or inhibits pathogenic microorganisms. ONLY for agents applied to the body
Defien disinfectant
chemical that kills microorganisms on inanimate objects - surgical equipment
Define disinfection
removal of organisms, not necessarily their spores
Define sterilisation
complete elimination of microbial viability including spores, by physical/chemical means
What may infection during surgery lead to?
adverse effect on procedure adverse effect on general health increased morbidity and mortality further treatment needed increased costs increased hospital stay
True/false: almost all surgical wounds get contaminated but not all wounds become infected
True
What are 3 surgical factors
Bacteria
local wound environment
local and systemic defence
What are bacterial factors?
presence and growth of bacteria number of bacteria (> 10^5 bacteria/g = infection) type and virulence duration of exposure timing of exposure
What are surgical factors?
PROCEDURE
Duration (at 90 mins you are twice as likely to get infection than an operation lasting <60 minutes)
patient and surgeon prep
type of surgery
SURGICAL WOUND dead space and seroma foreign material blood clots devitalised tissue
What are patient factors?
patient - age and nutrition
Disease conditions
Therapy (concurrent)
What therapies may increase the likelihood of infection?
anaesthetic agents, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, blood transfusion, vasoconstrictors, surgery
How does the NRC classify wounds from surgery? 4
Clean
Clean - contaminated
Contaminated
Dirty
When does contamination become infection?
Usually in the ‘decisive period’ = first 2-3 hours after wound exposure/inoculation (thus preventative AB only beneficial during first 3 hours).
What are Halstead’s principles about?
Good surgical technique (e.g. minimal trauma, close all dead space, no tension on sutures)
What are the 4 main components of aseptic technique?
Surgeon prep
Surgical instruments
Patient prep
Operating theatre
What are non-sterile barriers?
e.g. scrub suits, cap, shoe/covers, face mask
What are sterile barriers?
gowns and gloves
What are scrub suits made from?
Loose weave lint-free fabric = a barrier for dander but not microbes. wear only in theatre, tuck top into trousers and trousers into boots.
How to scrub up …
remove all jewellery short and clean nails mask on before scrubbing appropriate antiseptic brush and soap ready water running (correct speed and temp)