Aseptic Technique Flashcards
Define Asepsis
Absence of pathogenic micro-organisms
Define Aseptic (non touch) technique
Aseptic non‐touch technique (ANTT) is the practice of avoiding contamination by not touching key elements such as the tip of a needle, the seal of an intravenous connector after it has been decontaminated, or the inside surface of a sterile dressing where it will be in contact with the wound
Define Key Part
“Key-parts: the aseptic parts of the procedure equipment that need to have direct contact with aseptic key-parts of the patient, key-sites, or any liquid infusion.”
State three procedures when an aseptic (non touch) technique is used
Changing a wound dressing
Urethral catheterisation
Insertion of an intravenous cannula
Identify 4 principles of ascetic (non touch) technique
A)lways wash hands effectively
N)ever contaminate key parts
T)ouch non key parts with confidence
T)ake appropriate infective precautions
State the difference between clean and sterile
Clean - Free from soil, dust or dirt.
Sterile - Completely free from micro-organisms that could cause infection
State the difference between detergent and disinfectant
Detergent - Cleansing agent that removes dirt from a surface
Disinfectant - An agent that removes or destroys bacteria and other micro-organisms
Define micro-organism
“Any organism too small to be visible to the naked eye. Micro-organisms include bacteria, some fungi, mycoplasmas, protozoa, rickettsiae and viruses.”
Define colonisation (of micro-organisms)
“Micro-organisms that establish themselves in a particular environment, such as a body surface, without producing disease”
Define pathogen
A micro-organism that causes disease
State three signs of a localised infection
Redness Swelling Pain Heat Exudate Malodour
State three signs of systemic infection
Pyrexia
Tachycardia
Tachypnoea
What does PPE stand for
Personal Protective Equipment
State three occasions when PPE should be used
Risk of exposure of hands/clothing to blood or body fluids
Handling sharps
Risk of exposure of mucus membranes to splashing of blood/body fluid
State three occasions when hand hygiene should occur
Immediately before every epodes of patient contact or care
Immediately after every epodes of patient contact or care
Immediately after removal of gloves
State three reasons to use soap and water rathe than use alcohol gel
Hands are visibly soiled
Hands are potentially contaminated with body fluids
Hands are potentially contaminated with alcohol resistant organisms (Such as C.Diff)
State the difference between transitory microorganisms and resident microorganisms
Transitory - micro-organisms that are acquired on skin through contact with a surface
Resident - micro-organisms that live in the deeper crevices of skin and hair follicles
Does hand hygiene remove transitory or resident micro-organisms
Transitory
State three parts of the body that are sterile
Brain
Spinal Cord
Vascular system
Peritoneal cavity
State three parts of the body that are not sterile
Mouth and nose
Skin
Intestinal tract
State what to do in the event of a sharps injury
Encourage any wound to bleed freely (but do not squeeze)
Wash any wound with soap and water
Cover any wound with waterproof dressing
Ensure patient is safe
Report injury to line manager and Occupation Health
Follow instructions
Report incident
State three activities that may expose a nurse to body fluids
Changing a wound dressing
Urethral catheterisation
Insertion of an intravenous catheter
What should you do if you contaminate or do not maintain an ascetic (non touch) technique
Key-parts: stop and restart as required to maintain asepsis
Key-sites: ???
Define nosocomial
An infection that originates in a hospital
What does the abbreviation HCAI stand for
Healthcare Associated Infection
