Medical terms Flashcards
Biosecurity
A set of measures to prevent introduction and spread of infectious diseases
Asepsis
Absence of microorganisms that cause disease
Aseptic technique
Method to prevent contamination by microorganisms
Antisepsis
Exclusion, destruction or inhibition of growth or multiplication of microorganisms from body tissues and fluids
Antiseptics
Chemical compounds inhibiting the growth of microorganisms without necessarily killing them
Sterile
Free of living organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi & protozoa)
To sterilize
To make an object sterile
Sterile technique
Method by which contamination with microorganisms is prevented to maintain sterility throughout the surgical procedure
Disinfection
Chemical or mechanical destruction of pathogens
Decontamination
Cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing processes carried out to make contaminated items safe to handle
Infection
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, parasites) that are not normally present at the site
Draping (what, who, how)
a) Creating and maintaining a sterile field around the operative site with nonabsorbant towels
b) Performed by gowned and gloved team member when antiseptics have dried
c) One at a time, once placed it should not be readjusted!
Hemorrhage
-Bleeding, an abnormal escape of blood from an artery, vein, arteriole, venule or capillary network.
-Caused by traumatic injury/medical condition
-External or internal
-Primary or secondary
-Arterial, venous, capillary or parenchymatous
Surgical site infection
-Infection that directly results from surgical procedures
-Either incisional or organ/space
-Incisional is superficial or deep
-Organ/space = Infection of anatomic part that was manipulated
-Infection occurs within 30d after surgical procedure or within 1y of associated with surgical implant
Implants
Foreign substances used to support, rebuild or mimic function of an anatomic structure
Biofilm
Colony of microorganisms within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substance that they produce (biofilm microorganisms usually resistant to AB)
Prophylactic use of antibiotics
-Significant risk of infection
-Infection would be catastrophic
Must be present at the site during the time of potential contamination
-Given 30-60min IV before incision and discontinued within 24h (ideally at the end of procedure)
Therapeutic use of antibiotics
-Ideally based on culture and susceptibility results
-Delay might be problematic
-Based on clinical judgement, knowledge of antibiotic’s mechanism of actions, microbiological factors
-Indicated in patients with:
1.Overwhelming systemic infection
2.When infection is present at the surgical site or in a body cavity
3.With any contaminated or dirty surgical procedure
-Generally instituted before surgery and continued 2-3d after apparent resolution of infection
Wound
Injury to the body that result in disruption of the continuity of the body structure. Can be classified in several ways such as clean, contaminated, open, closed…
Dead space
Dead space = Resulting from suturing of large wounds promotes fluid accumulation, which is good medium for growth of bacteria.
Drainage
Necessary in moderate contamination or large dead space. Removal as soon as possible.
1. Passive drain=penrose drain
-Easier to insert, cost less
-Draining under gravity
-Risk of ascending infection
2.Active drains
-Creation of vacuum that removes fluid by suction
-Can be placed anywhere on the body
-Containers need to be emptied regularly
Debridement
Removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue to promote healing. In case of debris or nectoric tissue. Anesthesia usually required. Objective is to convert the open contaminated wound into surgically clean wound. Methods: Surgical, mechanical, autolytic, enzymatic, chemical or biosurgical.
Nosocomial infections
Caused by environmentally resistant bacteria during hospitalization/surgery.
Flail chest
Paradoxical movement of a floating thoracic segment. Diagnosed by physical examination, treatment mostly conservative; surgery sometimes indicated.
