ASEPSIS & ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE

ASEPSIS (Definition)

FREEDOM

from infection or
infectious material

ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE (Definition)

Measures

undertaken to prevent
disease causation via introduction
of microorganisms

Categories of Aseptic Technique

1. MEDICAL ASEPSIS
measures taken to CONTROL,
LIMIT or REDUCE the number &
growth of microorganisms present.
Clean Technique (Clean State)

2. SURGICAL ASEPSIS
Refers to practices that keep an area or
object FREE from ALL microorganisms;
Practices that DESTROY ALL
microorganisms and spores
Sterile Technique (Sterile State)

NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS
Infections

acquired by a patient
during hospitalization

3 Risk Factors of Infection

ENVIRONMENT air, other patients,

families & visitors, contaminated equpment,
food, hospital staff, etc.
THERAPEUTIC REGIMEN steroids,
immunosuppressants, cancer therapy and
prolonged antibiotic use
RESISTANCE OF HOST stress, fatigue,
malnutrition & chronic illness

INFECTIOUS PROCESS
I.

II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

PATHOGEN/CAUSATIVE
ORGANISM
RESERVOIR/SOURCE
PORTAL OF EXIT
ROUTE OF TRANSMISSION/MOT
PORTAL OF ENTRY
SUSCEPTIBLE HOST

I. PATHOGEN/CAUSATIVE ORGANISM

Refers to the DISEASE-CAUSING

organism
(e.g. bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa)

RESERVOIR/SOURCE
Refers to any person, plant, animal,
substance or locations that provide
nourishment for microorganisms
enabling growth & dispersal.
Common reservoir are the following:
HUMANS, PLANTS, ANIMALS,
WATER, & GENERAL ENVIRONMENT

Characteristics of Reservoir to allow

pathogens to thrive:

Food
Water
Oxygen (or the absence of oxygen)
Optimal temperature
Ph-Acid or Alkaline flora/environment
Minimal light

II. PORTAL OF EXIT

Organisms must have a MEANS TO EXIT

FROM RESERVOIR.
The infected host must shed the organism to
another host or to the environment for
transmission to occur.
Portal of Exit may be from: Respiratory tract
(nose & mouth), gastrointestinal tract,
genitourinary tract and blood

IV. ROUTE OF TRANSMISSION

Mode of transferring pathogens from
one host to another.
Direct Transmission involves the
immediate/direct transfer of
microorganism from person to person
through touching, biting, kissing, &
sexual contact

Types of Transmission
Transmission involves
the immediate/direct transfer of
microorganism from person to
person through touching, biting,
kissing, & sexual contact.

Direct

Indirect Transmission
Vehicle-born

VEHICLE any substance that serves as

an intermediate means to transport &
introduce an infectious agent to host.
E.g. fluids, food, blood (serum &
plasma), saliva, & other body secretions

Airborne Transmission occurs when

DROPLET NUCLEI (residue of evaporated
droplets that remain in the air for long
periods of time) emitted by an infected host
or dust particles containing infectious agent
are transmitted by air currents to a suitable
portal of entry, usually via respiratory tract.

V.

PORTAL OF ENTRY

The organism must gain access to the host

through an entry point that allows
microorganism interaction.
Usually, the portal of entry is also the portal
of exit.
NOTE: Airborne TB does not cause disease
when it settles on the skin of an exposed
host. The only route concerned is the RTract

VI. SUSCEPTIBLE HOST

a person who is at risk for infection

The state or quality of being infected
Factors Affecting Susceptibility:
1. Age extremes
2. Nutrition
3. Stress
4. Pre-existing Illness

VECTOR an animal or flying/crawling

insect that serves as an intermediate
means of transporting infectious agent to
a host.

ANTISEPTIC
AGENTS/DISINFECTANTS/ANTIMICRO
BIAL SOLUTIONS
ANTISEPTICS agents/solutions that
INHIBIT growth of some
microorganisms (Bactericidal effect)
DISINFECTANT agents/solutions that
DESTROY or KILL pathogens other
than spores
(Bacteriostatic effect)

Commonly Used ANTISEPTIC

Povidone-Iodine (Betadine)
Hibiclens for skin cleansing and
irrigation
Hydrogent Peroxide (3%)
decomposes necrotic tissues,
purulent wounds; irrigation

Commonly Used Disinfectant

Isopropyl Alcohol used to clean
thermometers, endoscopes &
medication vials
Chlorine countertops and floors/pools
Formalin hemodialysis unit/corpse

Characteristics of an Effective
Disinfectant
Attacks

all microorganisms
Rapid-acting
Not harmful to body tissues
Not activated by organic materials
Works with water

Stable to light and heat

Will not destroy articles being
disinfected
Not foul-smelling
Inexpensive

Methods of Sterilization
1. MOIST HEAT/STEAM STERILIZATION
application of pressured heat/steam
2. GAS
Use of ethylene oxide gas to destroy
microorganisms by interfering with their
metabolic processes.
Toxic and harmful to humans

3. BOILING WATER
Most practical and inexpensive
method for home spores, although
some viruses are not killed by boiling.
Boiling for a minimum of 15 minutes is
advised

4. RADIATION
Both ionizing & non-ionizing can be
used for disinfection and sterilization.
Ultraviolet light, a type of non-ionizing
radiation, can be used for disinfection

PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

1. All objects used in a sterile field MUST

2.
3.

be sterile.
Sterile objects become un-sterile when
touched by un-sterile objects.
Sterile items that are out of vision or
below waist level are considered unsterile.

When waiting, it is often convenient to

clasp your gloved hands together in
front of you to protect them.
The back is considered potentially
contaminated. DO NOT TURN YOUR
BACK on the sterile area.

 When

passing another person in sterile

attire, pass either face to face or back
to back.
If you must stand behind someone,
fasten a sterile towel over the persons
back.

4. Sterile objects can become un-sterile

by prolonged exposure to airborne
microorganisms.
5. Fluid flow in the direction of gravity

6.

Moisture that passes through a sterile

object draws microorganisms from unsterile surfaces above or below, towards
sterile surfaces by capillary action.
Moisture allows microorganisms to wick
quickly & easily from one area to another. If
your attire becomes wet, consider it
contaminated, and therefore change or
cover it.

7.

8.

9.

The edges of a sterile field are considered

un-sterile.
The skin cannot be sterilized, and therefore
is un-sterile.
Conscientiousness, Alertness & Honesty
are essential qualities in maintaining
surgical asepsis.

If you have suspected that part of your attire

has been contaminated, notify the
appropriate person (circulating nurse) for
assistance in changing.
Contamination often occurs accidentally. To
avoid this, whenever you move close to
someone, WARN THEM VERBALLY. Do
not assume that they will see you.

If by chance you were able to touch any

un-sterile object, you have to be
HONEST and tell the circulating nurse
right away.

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
1.

Wear masks and protective eyewear

or face shields in situations where
droplets of blood or other body fluids
may spray onto the mucous
membrane of the eyes, nose, and
mouth. (e.g. wound irrigation)

2. Wear gloves when in contact with

blood or other body fluids containing
blood, and when handling supplies &
equipment or surfaced soiled with
blood or other body fluids. Change
gloves after client contact.

3. Wear gowns in situations where there

is likely droplets of blood or other body

fluids.
4. Immediately and thoroughly wash
hands or other skin surfaces that
come in contact with blood or other
body fluids.

5. To prevent needle stick injuries,

deposit used needles in a punctureresistant container that has a secure

lid and has been placed near the area
where the needles were used.

6.

7.

Use mouthpiece, resuscitation bags, or

other ventilation equipment when providing
resuscitation. This reduces the need for
mouth to mouth contact.
Do not provide direct client care when you
have an open or exudative skin lesion.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Those that are used to protect both the

health care provider and the client while
giving interventions in order to avoid
contamination.
Masks, headgear/bonnet/cap, gloves,
surgical shoes, surgical gown.

USE OF BARRIER DEVICES

MASKS
a device worn on the head particularly
covering the face

Guidelines in Wearing Masks:

1.

2.

Must be worn at all times minimizing

airborne contamination especially
droplets containing microorganisms
from the oropharynx & nasopharynx.
Must be contained and filtered. (At
least 95% of air passages)

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Must be tight-fitting
Should cover the nose and mouth
Should not interfere with breathing, speech
and vision
Should be compact & comfortable
Forced expiration such as laughing,
sneezing, etc. are avoided because residue
may deposit on the mask.

8.
9.

Do not use moistened/wet masks

Mask strings are tied snugly; top
strings are tied at the back of the
head, while the bottom strings must be
tied at the back of the neck.

10. Masks must be on or off. It must not

be allowed to hang around the neck.

11.When removing masks, only the
strings are handled to prevent
contamination of the hands.

HEADGEAR/BONNETCAP
Protective devise worn on the head
that should completely cover the
hair, head and neckline so that no
strands of hair, pins, clips,
dandruff, lice nits & dust will fall on
the sterile field

GLOVES
Devise

worn on the hands to prevent

actual surface contact of the skin.

GOWN
A specially-designed garment or
attire used as a barrier devise in
infection and contamination

THANK YOU!!!