Chapter 1. Infection Control
1.5 Principles of Asepsis
Asepsis refers to the absence of infectious material or infection. Surgical asepsis is the absence of all microorganisms within any type of invasive procedure. Sterile technique is a set of specific practices and procedures performed to make equipment and areas free from all microorganisms and to maintain that sterility (Centre for Disease Control, 2007). In the literature, surgical asepsis and sterile technique are commonly used interchangeably, but they mean different things (Kennedy, 2013). Principles of sterile technique help control and prevent infection, prevent the transmission of all microorganisms in a given area, and include all techniques that are practised to maintain sterility.
Sterile technique is most commonly practised in operating rooms, labour and delivery rooms, and special procedures or diagnostic areas. It is also used when performing a sterile procedure at the bedside, such as inserting devices into sterile areas of the body or cavities (e.g., insertion of chest tube, central venous line, or indwelling urinary catheter). In healthcare, sterile technique is always used when the integrity of the skin is accessed, impaired, or broken (e.g., burns or surgical incisions). Sterile technique may include the use of sterile equipment, sterile gowns, and gloves (Perry et al., 2014).
Sterile technique is essential to help prevent surgical site infections (SSI), an unintended and oftentimes preventable complication arising from surgery. It is simply post op infection that occurs at the surgical site (CDC, 2014). Preventing and reducing SSI are the most important reasons for using sterile technique during invasive procedures and surgeries.
Principles of Surgical Asepsis
All personnel involved in an aseptic procedure are required to follow the principles and practice set forth by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). These principles must be strictly applied when performing any aseptic procedures, when assisting with aseptic procedures, and when intervening when the principles of surgical asepsis are breached. It is the responsibility of all healthcare workers to speak up and protect all patients from infection.
Table 1.4: Principles of Asepsis
|
Safety considerations:
- Hand hygiene is a priority before any aseptic procedure.
- When performing a procedure, ensure the patient understands how to prevent contamination of equipment and knows to refrain from sudden movements or touching, laughing, sneezing, or talking over the sterile field.
- Choose appropriate PPE to decrease the transmission of microorganisms from patients to healthcare workers.
- Review hospital procedures and requirements for sterile technique prior to initiating any invasive procedure.
- Healthcare providers who are ill should avoid invasive procedures or, if they can’t avoid them, should double mask.
|
Principle
|
Additional Information
|
| 1. All objects used in a sterile field must be sterile