Sterile Technique Flashcards
What is the 1st line of defense against the invasion of secondary infections?
Sterile technique: proper sterile field for you, your instruments, and your patients
List sterilization instruments
- steam autoclaving
- gas autoclaving
- dry sterilization
- cold sterilization
Steam autoclaving
-One of the most effective means of instrument sterilization
-kills bacteria (vegetative) and spore (most dry resistant)
- 13min, temp 120 degrees, 750mmHG(14.5psi)
—Cannot steam autoclave sharp instruments, will dull them
Gas autoclaving
- most effective method of instrument sterilization (Not cost effective and dangerous)
- gas is ethylene oxide: deadly to humans when inhaled (needs special storage/handling)
- kills bacteria and spore
- no dulling of instruments
Dry sterilization
- Good general sterile coverage
- effectively kill most bacteria not all spores
- can use in an emergency if nothing else is available
- heat in oven 170 degrees C for an hour
Cold sterilization
- least effective (may be needed in some cases)
- iodine bath/providence,beta dyne used to submerge instruments that cannot be autoclaved
- Not for large scale routine instruments
Post sterilization
- Wrapped individually in fabricated bags with heat sensitive tape.
- hand double wrapped, uses heat sensitive tape and internal heat sensitive vile for verification of sterility.
Sterile instruments on a Mayo stand need what?
To be draped with sterile coverings
-airs space is included in sterile environment
Patient sterilization consists of what?
- cut back hair with scissors (NOT razor, NOT eyebrows). Shaving may nick the skin and cause secondary infections.
- peroperative skin prep after local anesthetic is applied.
- site cleaned w/ green soap and water.
- scrubbed (x4) with antiseptic (beta dyne)
- final skin disinfection with tincture of Merthiolate on Cotton applicators.
- all steps use expanding concentric circles to keep debris moving away from site.
- drape site with sterile cloth and anchor securely.
The two categories of micro flora that humans are colonized by are?
- resident flora: simulate b/w people. Has antagonism against pathological organisms.
- transient: squired via contact with people, fomites, or environment. May be removed by washing. Endogenous sources include Sergei also team environment, patient nasopharynx, or epidermis.
What is the goal of preoperative skin cleansing?
To decrease the resident flora to its lowest level.
What is the most common resident microorganism?
Staph Epidermis (90%)
What is the most common transient microorganism?
Staph Aureus
Out of transient and resident microorganisms, which is most likely to cause postoperative infection?
Transient
The CDC defines a surgical site as infected if what occurs?
If site suppurates or produces pus within 30 days of a surgical procedure.
One exception: suture abscess
