Asepsis-IPC " If in doubt, Throw it now"

Asepsis

1. Asepsis

2. Asepsis Preventing infections is one of the most important priorities in nursing. The most effective method is hand hygiene. Factors that influence whether an infection develops include: Type and number of microorganisms. Characteristics of the microorganism. The person’s state of health. Types of Microorganisms (MOs) are divided into two main groups: Nonpathogens , or normal flora (harmless, beneficial MOs). Pathogens (microorganisms that cause illness). Bacteria Viruses Fungi

3. All MOs need a favorable environment to survive. Conditions that promote survival include warmth, darkness, oxygen, water, and nourishment. CHAIN OF INFECTION The six essential components in the chain of infection (the sequence that enables the spread of disease-producing micro- organisms) must be in place if pathogens are to be transmitted from one location or person to another: An infectious agent A reservoir : is a place where microbes grow and reproduce. An exit route : is how (MOs) escape from their original reservoir and move about. Mode of transmission : is how infectious microorganisms move to another location. ( contact, droplet, airborne, vehicle, and vector) A portal of entry : is where (MOs) find their way onto or into a new host. A susceptible host : is one whose biologic de- fense mechanisms are weakened in some way (Human body).

4. The two types of biologic defense mechanisms are : Mechanical defense mechanisms are physical barriers that prevent microorganisms from entering the body . Examples include intact skin and mucous membranes . Chemical defense mechanisms destroy or incapacitate microorganisms through natural biologic substances. Examples: Tears and other secretions, Gastric acid, Antibodies. Factors Affecting Susceptibility to Infections: Inadequate nutrition • Poor hygiene practices Suppressed immune system • Chronic illness Insufficient white blood cells • Prematurity Advanced age • Compromised skin integrity Weakened cough reflex • Diminished blood circulation

5. ASEPSIS: is the state of being free from disease-causing micro-organisms. Medical asepsis ( clean technique) means those practices that confine or reduce the numbers of microorganisms.  Examples of medical aseptic practices include: Using Antimicrobial Agents ( chemicals that destroy or suppress the growth of infectious microorganisms). Antiseptics , also known as bacteriostatic agents , inhibit the growth of, but do not kill, microorganisms . An example: alcohol. Disinfectants , also called germicides and bactericides , destroy active microorganisms but not spores . Anti-infective Drugs Antibacterial Antiviral Hand washing is a medical aseptic practice that involves cleaning the hands with soap, water, and friction to mechanically remove dirt and organic substances.

6. Hand washing with soap and water is performed: When hands are visibly dirty When hands are contaminated with proteinaceous material When hands are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids Before eating and after using the restroom If exposure to spore-forming pathogens is suspected or proven. Performing Hand Antisepsis: means the removal and destruction of transient microorganisms without soap and water. It involves products such as alcohol-based liquids, and thick gels,. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not substitutes for hand washing in all situations. Surgical hand antisepsis , is a medically aseptic hand-hygiene procedure that is performed before donning sterile gloves and garments when the nurse is actively involved in an operative or obstetric procedure.

7. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment To reduce the transfer of microorganisms between themselves and clients, health care providers wear various garments: Uniforms Scrub Suits and Gowns Masks Respirators Gloves Hair and shoe cover Protective eyewear. Confining Soiled Articles : Utility Rooms: Health care agencies have at least two utility rooms: one designated clean and the other considered dirty. Personnel must not place soiled articles in the clean utility room. A sink is located in the soiled utility room for hand washing and for rinsing grossly contaminated equipment. Waste Receptacles: Wastebaskets generally are lined with plastic. Suction and drainage containers are kept covered and emptied at least once during each shift. Keeping the Environment Clean: Health agencies employ laundry staff and housekeeping personnel to assist with cleaning. Terminal disinfection consists of measures used to clean a client’s environment after discharge. It includes scrubbing the mattress surface and the insides of drawers and bedside stands.

8. Surgical Asepsis: Surgical asepsis refers to those measures that render supplies and equipment totally free of microorganisms. A sterile field means a work area free of microorganisms. Sterilization: consists of physical and chemical techniques that destroy all microorganisms, including spores. Physical Sterilization Microorganisms and spores are destroyed physically through radiation or heat, boiling water, free-flowing steam, dry heat, and steam under pressure. Steam under pressure is the most dependable method for destroying all forms of organisms and spores. Chemical Sterilization Both gas and liquid chemicals are used to sterilize invasive equipment. Until chemicals were perfected as a sterilizing agent, sterilization using liquid chemicals was difficult and some questioned its reliability.

9. Principles of Surgical Asepsis They preserve sterility by touching one sterile item with another that is sterile. Once a sterile item touches something that is not sterile Any partially unwrapped sterile package is considered contaminated. If there is a question about the sterility of an item, it is considered unsterile. The longer the time since sterilization, the more likely it is that the item is no longer sterile. The outer 1-inch margin of a sterile area is considered a zone of contamination. A sterile wrapper, if it becomes wet, wicks microorganisms from its supporting sur- face, causing contamination. Any opened sterile item or sterile area is considered contaminated Coughing, sneezing, or excessive talking over a sterile field causes contamination Sterile items that are located or lowered below waist level are considered contaminated .

10. Adding sterile solutions to a Sterile Field: The nurse avoids touching any sterile areas within the field. Agencies replace sterile solutions daily even if the entire volume is not used. Putting On and Removing Sterile Gloves nurses can use sterile gloves to handle sterile equipment and supplies without contaminating them. Sterile gloves also provide a barrier against transmitting microbes to clients. Putting On a Sterile Gown A sterile gown protects the client and the sterile equipment from microorganisms that collect on the surface of uniforms, scrub suits, or scrub gowns. Sterile gowns are required during surgery and childbirth.

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