Medical and Surgical Asepsis Fundamentals PDF

Medical and Surgical Asepsis Fundamentals 1 © 2017 Assessment Technologies Institute®, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Definitions Infection control has a high priority in health care. An infection is the...

Medical and Surgical Asepsis Fundamentals 1 © 2017 Assessment Technologies Institute®, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Definitions Infection control has a high priority in health care. An infection is the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms, resulting in disease. A colonization is present when a microorganism invades a host, grows, and/or multiplies, but does not cause disease or infection unless it alters normal tissue functioning – If it can be spread from one person to another, it is referred to as communicable. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 2 Definitions A health care facility acquired infection (nosocomial) is an infection acquired in a health care setting. Clients in health care settings may be more susceptible to infection due to multiple illnesses, age, and poor nourishment. Many also have a lowered immune system. The risk for infection can be dramatically lowered if nurses practice proper hand washing techniques. Handwashing is the No. 1 way to prevent the spread of infection. – Friction. – Water. – Soap. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 3 Definitions Asepsis is the absence of illness-producing microorganisms. There are techniques nurses use to maintain aseptic technique. Equipment used with aseptic techniques – Gloves. – Gown. – Masks. – Eyewear. Before beginning any task or procedure that requires aseptic technique, health care team members must check for latex allergies. If the client or any member of the team has a latex allergy, the team must use latex-free gloves, equipment, and supplies. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 4 Medical Asepsis The use of precise practices to reduce the number, growth, and spread of microorganisms (“clean technique”). It applies to administering oral medication, managing nasogastric tubes, providing personal hygiene, and performing many other common nursing tasks. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 5 Surgical Asepsis The use of precise practices to eliminate all microorganisms from an object or area and prevent contamination (“sterile technique”). It applies to parenteral medication administration, insertion of urinary catheters, surgical procedures, sterile dressing changes, and many other common nursing procedures. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 6 Medical Aseptic Practices Hand washing is the No. 1 way to prevent the spread of infection. Always use proper hand hygiene: hand washing with an antimicrobial or plain soap and water; using alcohol-based products such as gels, foams, and rinses; or performing a surgical scrub. You should wash your hands: – When they are visibly soiled. – Before and after client contact. – Before performing invasive procedures. – After contact with a source or reservoir, including clients and objects. – After removing gloves. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 7 Medical Asepsis Wash hands with soap and warm water – Rub hands together vigorously, and rinse under running water. – Wash for at least 15 seconds to remove transient flora and up to 2 min when hands are more soiled. – After washing, dry hands with a clean paper towel before turning off the faucet. If the sink does not have foot or knee pedals for turning off the water, use a clean, dry paper towel to turn off the faucet(s). For hand hygiene with an alcohol-based product – Dispense the manufacturer’s recommended amount (usually 3 to 5 mL) in the palm of the hand. – Rub vigorously, remembering to cover all surfaces of both hands and fingers. – Continue to rub until both hands are completely dry. Changing linens – Do not place items (linens) on the floor. – Avoid shaking linens. 8 Medical Aseptic Practices Use of masks, gowns, gloves, and protective eyewear when appropriate. Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using and disposing of facial tissues, and performing hand hygiene to prevent spraying and spreading droplets – Encourage clients and visitors to practice respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette. Clean from least contaminated first to prevent spread of organisms. – Clean to dirty. Use plastic bags to contain items – Use red bags for items saturated with bodily fluids. Follow isolation precaution procedures. Maintain personal hygiene – No artificial nails. – No rings with stones. – Use lotion to prevent chapping. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 9 Surgical Aseptic Practices Use sterile gloves for sterile procedures. Avoid coughing, laughing, or sneezing directly over sterile field. Do not reach over a sterile field. Keep nonwaterproof drapes dry – Moisture allows microbes to move quickly through a wicking action. 1-inch border of sterile drapes and packages is considered contaminated. Sterile to sterile = still sterile. Sterile to nonsterile = contaminated. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 10 Surgical Aseptic Practices Open sterile packages by unfolding top flap away from your body first and toward you last. “Lip” liquids by pouring 1 to 2 mL of solution into a receptacle first before pouring into a sterile object or container. Grasp glove at folded cuff with nondominant hand and place on dominant hand – Place fingers from sterile dominant hand inside the nondominant hand glove, lift up, and place on hand. – Make adjustments when both hands are gloved. Remove sterile gloves by turning inside out and placing one glove inside of the other. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 11 Learning Activity Review Questions 1. Which of the following statements are true about surgical asepsis and sterile field? (select all that apply) A. The nurse may turn her back to the sterile field if the nurse needs to grab an item. B. The 1-inch edge around the sterile field is sterile. C. A sterile item can touch another sterile item without contaminating it. D. Sterile items must remain above the waist. E. Pour the liquid into the sterile basin without touching the bottle. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 12 Learning Activity Review Questions Mark M for Medical asepsis. Mark S for surgical asepsis. __ 1. Inserting an nasogastric tube. __ 2. Urinary catheter. __ 3. Dressing changes. __ 4. Oral medications. __ 5. Assisting with suture set-up. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 13 Privacy Policy | Terms of Use 14