Module 1 - Medical/Surgical Asepsis Flashcards
Medical Asepsis
Clean technique, used to decrease/prevent spread of microorganisms, does not eliminate ALL microorganisms ex) mouth care, digital rectal exam, wound dressing
Surgical Asepsis
Sterile technique, eliminates ALL microorganisms and governed by principles of sterility ex) inserting catheter, surgical dressings, collecting urine
Chain of Infection
Infectious Agent > Reservoir > Portal of Exit > Mode of Transmission > Portal of Entry > Susceptible Host
Infectious Agent
Microorganism’s number and virulence, that can cause illness/infection
Reservoir
Dark, warm, pH, water environment where microorganisms thrive
Portal of Exit
Mouth, Nose, Mucus membranes, Rectum
Mode of Transmission
Direct and Indirect Contact - Droplets, Air
Portal of Entry
How organisms enter the body, similar to portal of exit ex) airborne, droplets, orally, sexual contact
Susceptible Host
Infected individual, maybe young, older, immune compromised
Nature of Infection
Entry and multiplications of an organism that results in disease
Principles of Sterile Technique
1) Handling
2) Vision - out of vision means contamination
3) Exposure - to long of exposure means contamination
4) Fluids - moisture attracts microorganisms
5) Gravity - fluid flows in the direction of gravity
6) Edges - 1’ inch border is contaminated
Sterile Objects
All sterile objects must be handled by other sterile objects
Sterile Field
Only sterile objects are allowed on the sterile field
Interventions to reduce HCAI’s
- Hand hygiene
- Sterility
- PPE
- Dispose of material in appropriate manner ie) sharps in sharps, soiled linen in laundry
- Maintain skin integrity
- Promotion of hygiene practices
- Controlling reservoirs
