Asepsis

asepsis is the foundation

1. IS THE FOUNDATION ANTIBIOTICS – NOT A SUBSTITUTE

2. Definition Asepsis is the state of being free from disease-causing contaminants (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) or, preventing contact with microorganisms. The term asepsis often refers to those practices used to promote or induce asepsis in an operative field in surgery or medicine to prevent infection.

3. any practice that helps reduce the number and spread of microorganisms . the complete removal of microorganisms and their spores from the surface of an object

4. Operating room(air) Surgical instruments Surgical team Patient’s resident flora MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE

5. CHAIN OF INFECTION

6. Surgical asepsis involves proper preparation of Facilities & environment Surgical site Surgixcal equipment Surgical team

7. Hand washing Patient skin preparation Disinfectants on objeects Sterilisation of instruments & drapes Proper attire Gloves, gown, mask, surgical drapes

8. During the procedure The following precautions must be taken by the scrub practitioner: The sterile field should be constantly observed and not left unattended at any time Conversation should be kept to a minimum in the surgical area The number of personnel in the theatre and around the surgical field should be limited Movement around the sterile field, including the opening and closing of doors should be kept to a minimum Non-perforating devices should be used to secure equipment to the sterile field

9. Non-sterile equipment should be covered with sterile barriers before placing them in or over the sterile field Scrub staff should remain should remain close to the sterile field When changing positions scrub staff should pass back-to-back or face-to-face Scrubbed staff should avoid changing levels, ie sitting and standing A wide space should be observed between scrubbed staff and non-scrubbed staff The level of the surgical field is established by the level of the surgical site

10. The following precautions must be taken by unsterile staff: Unsterile staff should face the sterile field on approach Unsterile staff should not touch or lean over the sterile field Unsterile staff should not walk between two components of the sterile field If extra items are required to be added to the sterile field the packaging must be inspected to ensure that: It is the required item. The package integrity has been maintained. The sterilisation indicator is present. It has not exceeded its expiry date. The packaging is not wet

11. Removal of microorganisms and their spores must be complete, or the article is not sterile. Disinfection To remove as many micoorganisms as possible from a surface by physical or chemical means. Articles or surfaces that cannot be sterilized in the OR or special procedure room must be disinfected. Methods of Sterilization and Disinfection

12. Proper hand washing

13. Opening sterile pack

14. Passing sterile object to a sterile person

15. Putting an object in the sterile field

16. Transferring a sterile object

17. Draping for Sterile Procedure

18. Removing and Reapplying Dressings You must not remove or reapply dressing All dressings must be treated as if they are contaminated, because drainage from wounds may harbor pathogenic microorganisms

19. By following such simple day to day practices in the operating room we can minimise the infection rates Hence surgeons may even not rely on antibiotics for the complete result of their surgical outcome without any infective complications