Week 1 Terms Flashcards
Antiseptics
Chemical agents approved for the use on skin;
Inhibits growth and reproduction of microorganisms
Asepsis
Absence of pathogenic microorganisms on an animate surface and/or body tissue;
Goal of surgical practices;
State of minimal or zero pathogens;
“Without infection”
Aseptic technique
Methods or practice in healthcare that reduce infection
Chemical barrier
Barrier formed by the action of an antiseptic;
Reduces number of microorganisms on surface, prevents recolonization for limited period
Contamination
Consequence of physical contact between sterile surface and non sterile surface in sx resulting in potential/actual transfer of microbes from one surface to another
Containment and confinement
Foundation concept of a septic technique where sterile and nonsterile surfaces are separated by physical barriers or distance
Double gloving
Wearing two pairs of gloves, one over another, to reduce risk of contamination as a result of glove failure or puncture
Gross contamination
Contamination of a large area of tissue by a highly infective source
Hand washing
Specific technique used to remove soil, debris, and dead cells from the hands;
Handwashing with an antiseptic reduces number of microorganisms
Non sterile personnel
In sx, team members who remain outside the boundary of the sterile field;
Do not come into contact with sterile equipment, sterile areas, or surgical wound;
i.e. Circulator, anesthesia care provider, and radiographic tech
Physical barrier
In sx, seperates a sterile and non sterile surface;
i.e. Sterile sx gloves, gowns, drapes
Resident flora
Normal flora;
Microorganisms normally present in specific tissues;
Necessary for regular function of tissues/structure
Scrub
Scrubbed surgical tech or nursing assistant in sx;
Surgical hand scrub performed before sx
Scrubbed personnel
Sterile personnel;
In sx, members of surgical team who work within the sterile field
Sharps
Any objects that can penetrate the skin and have the potential to cause injury and infection;
Includes needles, scalpel blades
Sterile field
An area that includes the draped pt;
All sterile tables and sterile equipment in the immediate area of the pt;
Pt is the center of the sterile field
Sterile item
Any item/medical device that has been exposed to a process that destroys all microbes
Sterility
A state in which an inanimate/animate surface harbors absolutely no viable microorganisms
Strike-through contamination
Event in which fluid from a non sterile surface penetrates the protective wrapper of a sterile item, causing it to become contaminated
Surgical conscience
In sx, the ethical motivation to practice excellent aseptic technique to protect the pt from infection
