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Questions and Answers
The primary concern regarding impaired wound healing is the possibility of infection.
The primary concern regarding impaired wound healing is the possibility of infection.
True (A)
Aseptic techniques involve the promotion of microbial contamination of tissues and sterile materials.
Aseptic techniques involve the promotion of microbial contamination of tissues and sterile materials.
False (B)
Sterilisation is the process of killing or removing enough microbes to render an inanimate object safe.
Sterilisation is the process of killing or removing enough microbes to render an inanimate object safe.
False (B)
Antiseptics are chemicals that can only be applied to inanimate objects.
Antiseptics are chemicals that can only be applied to inanimate objects.
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Auto infection occurs when microbes from other patients are transferred in hospitals.
Auto infection occurs when microbes from other patients are transferred in hospitals.
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An optimal antiseptic will have a limited scope of activity against microbes.
An optimal antiseptic will have a limited scope of activity against microbes.
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An ideal antiseptic must be easily inactivated by blood or feces.
An ideal antiseptic must be easily inactivated by blood or feces.
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Operating staff are not considered a potential source of infection in surgical wounds.
Operating staff are not considered a potential source of infection in surgical wounds.
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Scrubbing before an operation should last a minimum of two minutes.
Scrubbing before an operation should last a minimum of two minutes.
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Brushes should be used extensively during scrubbing to ensure all areas of the skin are cleaned.
Brushes should be used extensively during scrubbing to ensure all areas of the skin are cleaned.
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Study Notes
Wound Healing and Infection Prevention
- Impaired wound healing's most serious consequence is infection.
- Antiseptics and aseptic techniques aim to reduce contamination, making wounds less hospitable to bacteria.
- Knowledge of these techniques is crucial for medical professionals (wards, operating rooms, emergency departments) to prevent infection, complications, and potentially, death.
Definitions
- Aseptic Technique: Preventing microbial contamination of tissues and sterile materials by excluding, removing, or killing microorganisms.
- Disinfection: Killing or removing enough microbes to make an inanimate object safe for its intended purpose.
- Antiseptics: Chemicals applied to living tissues to kill or inhibit microbial growth.
- Cross Infection: Transferring microbes from one hospitalized patient to another.
- Auto Infection: Infection caused by organisms already present on the patient's body or in infected areas.
Ideal Antiseptic Properties
- Broad Spectrum: Effective against a wide range of microbes.
- Resistance to Organic Matter: Unaffected by substances like blood and feces.
- Non-Toxic and Non-Allergic: Safe for use on living tissue.
- Affordable: Cost-effective.
Infection Prevention in Surgical Wounds
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Sources of Infection:
- Patient
- Staff (healthy carriers, incubating illness, or with overt illness)
- Operating room environment
- Instruments (occasionally)
-
Routes of Infection:
- Direct contact (patient-to-patient, patient-to-staff, staff-to-patient)
- Airborne transmission
Operating Room Asepsis
- Most surgical wound infections occur during procedures. Thus, strict asepsis is vital.
Staff Asepsis
- Proper attire: Clean clothes, shoes or covers, mask and cap beyond the "green zone"
- Scrubbing: Thorough scrubbing of all surgical team members for at least 5 minutes with antiseptic soap or detergent
- Skin protection: Use brushes to clean under nails only. Dry with sterile towels. Apply 70% alcohol or Povidone iodine (if available).
- Sterile garments: Don sterile gloves and gowns in a sterile manner
Patient Asepsis
- Hair Removal: Shave hair immediately before surgery.
-
Surgical Site Preparation:
- Adults: Clean the surgical site with chlorohexidine and 2.5% iodine.
- Children: Clean with 70% alcohol.
- Use povidone iodine for all ages (if available)
- Sterile Drapes: Cover the prepared site with sterile drapes.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the critical aspects of wound healing and the importance of infection prevention in medical settings. It discusses concepts such as aseptic techniques, antiseptics, and the consequences of impaired wound healing. Essential for healthcare professionals, this knowledge can help prevent severe complications.
