Surgical asepsis
Surgical asepsis is the practice of eliminating all microorganisms from objects and areas that are involved in invasive medical procedures. It is also known as sterile technique, and it aims to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs), which are infections that occur after surgery in the area of surgery. Surgical asepsis requires strict adherence to the principles and guidelines set by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Some of these principles are:
– A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object.
– Only sterile objects may be placed on a sterile field.
– A sterile object or field out of the range of vision or an object held below a person’s waist is contaminated.
– A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air.
– When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the sterile object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action.
– Fluid flows in the direction of gravity.
– The edges of a sterile field or container are considered to be contaminated.
Surgical asepsis is different from medical asepsis, which is the practice of reducing the number of microorganisms on objects and areas, but not necessarily eliminating them. Medical asepsis is also known as clean technique, and it includes practices such as hand washing, sanitizing, disinfecting, and using personal protective equipment. Medical asepsis is used for routine care and procedures that do not involve entering sterile body cavities or tissues.
Some examples of situations that require surgical asepsis are:
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– Inserting a chest tube, a central venous line, or an indwelling urinary catheter
– Performing a kidney transplant, a mole removal, or a cesarean section
– Preparing and administering injections or intravenous fluids
– Handling surgical instruments, sutures, and dressings
To perform surgical asepsis, health care workers must follow specific steps and techniques to ensure sterility. These include:
– Washing hands thoroughly before and after the procedure
– Wearing sterile gloves, gowns, masks, and caps
– Opening sterile packages carefully and avoiding touching the inner contents
– Creating and maintaining a sterile field by covering a flat surface with a sterile drape
– Placing sterile objects on the sterile field only if they are needed for the procedure
– Keeping the sterile field in sight and avoiding reaching over or under it
– Discarding any contaminated or questionable objects immediately
– Checking the expiration dates and integrity of sterile items before use
Surgical asepsis is an essential skill for health care workers who perform invasive procedures. It helps to prevent the transmission of microorganisms that can cause infections and complications for patients.
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Works Cited
Medical and surgical asepsis: Clinical skills notes – Osmosis. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Medical_and_surgical_asepsis:_Clinical_skills_notes
Surgical Asepsis | Definition, Technique & Principles. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/surgical-asepsis-definition-technique-examples.html
1.5: Surgical Asepsis and the Principles of Sterile Technique – Medicine LibreTexts. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Nursing/Clinical_Procedures_for_Safer_Patient_Care_%28Doyle_and_McCutcheon%29/01%3A_Infection_Control/1.05%3A_Surgical_Asepsis_and_the_Principles_of_Sterile_Technique