Medical And Surgical Asepsis Flashcards
Medical asepsis
Deals with reducing the probability of infectious organisms being transmitted to a susceptible individual
The process of reducing the total number of organisms is called?
Microbial dilution
-there are 3 levels of microbial dilution
3 levels of microbial dilution
- simple cleanliness
- disinfection
- sterilization
Simple cleanliness
Proper cleaning, dusting, linen handling and hand hygiene
Disinfection
The destruction of pathogens by using chemical materials
Sterilization
- Surgical asepsis
- involves treating items with heat, gas or chemicals to make them germ free
Antiseptic vs disinfectant
Antiseptic: a substance that tends to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms
Disinfectant: liquid chemical applied to objects to eliminate many or all pathogenic microorganisms
Disinfection
- there are articles or surfaces that cannot be sterilized, therefore these articles must be disinfected
- used on objects ex tables, floors, walls, and any equipment
Surgical asepsis
- the complete destruction of all organisms and spores from equipment used to perform patient care procedures
- procedures that require sterile equipment: lumbar punctures, catheterization and injections or equipment if required for immunocompromised patients
- used in both the OR and the areas in the diagnostic imaging department
Sterile conscience
-an awareness of sterile technique and responsibility for telling the person in charge whenever you contaminate a field or observe the contamination by someone else
Technologists and the OR
- inexperienced techs are not sent to the OR alone, an experienced tech will guide them through
- special surgical scrub attire must be worn
- before bringing equipment into the operating room, you must wipe it down with a germicidal solution
Sterile corridor
- area between the patient drape and the instrument table is maintained as a “sterile corridor”
- access to this area is limited, permitted only to those wearing sterile attire and the radiographer is excluded from this part of the room
- head of the table is usually not in the sterile field, and is a safe area from which the radiographer can assess the situation and work from
Technologist in the operating room
- doors to the theatres are to be kept closed during a surgical procedure, and traffic in and out of the room is strictly controlled
- only persons directly involved in the procedure may be present
- whether the radiographer stays or leaves throughout depends on type of surgery
- if the need for imaging is not planned, radiographers may be called to the OR at a moments notice, be dressed and ready for such situations
Radiographer and Surgical team
Include:
- surgeon
- surgical assistant
- anesthesiologist
- RN’s (scrub nurse and float/circulating nurse)
- rad tech
Surgeon
- the physician who plans and performs the surgical procedure and makes all surgical decisions
- surgical assistant: usually another surgeon, may be a resident or may be several assistants depending on the patients surgical needs
Anesthesiologist
- a physician with special education in anaesthesiology
- makes decisions concerning the type of anaesthesia required, monitors patients vital signs
Some surgical procedures requiring imaging include:
- operative cholangiograms
- urethral retrograde and stent placements
- orthopaedics: fractures, joint replacements
- pacemaker insertion
- intravascular trauma
- determination of the presence of foreign objects
The OR environment
Divided into 3 zones:
- Unrestricted zone: persons may enter in street clothing, change room
- Semi-restricted zone: only persons dressed in scrub clothing with hair and shoe covers on may enter, outer corridor
- Restricted zone: only persons wearing scrub suits, hair coverings, shoe coverings and masks are allowed, operating rooms, inner corridor (supplies and sterilization devices)
Rules in the OR
- to proceed from the “unrestricted zone” to the “semi-restricted zone” it is required to don scrubs with the top tucked into the pants or to wear a top that is close to the body
- hair, beards, or moustaches must be covered with a surgical cap
- shoe covers must be worn in restricted area
- before entering the room where a surgical procedure is in progress or the room is being prepared for a procedure, all personnel must put on a surgical mask
- various types of masks are worn to protect the patient from airborne or droplet contamination by a healthcare worker
- most facilities have dedicated x-ray equipment in the OR such as mobiles and C-arms
Sterile field
- if the sterile field is already established, and procedure postponed, cover it immediately with a sterile drape
- airborne contamination is just as serious as a break in sterile technique