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5.9:

Asepsis

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Nursing
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Asepsis

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Asepsis is the condition of being free from disease-causing pathogens during medical procedures. Aseptic techniques are steps that can be taken to achieve asepsis and prevent the transmission of potential pathogens to a susceptible location. These techniques are commonly classified into two categories—medical and surgical asepsis—and cover all the practices designed to prevent contamination or break the infection chain. Medical asepsis, or clean techniques, are practices and procedures that decrease the count and spread of microorganisms. They are used for all patients, even when no infection is detected, and protect both patients and healthcare workers from illness. One such measure is regular environmental cleaning. Generally, they are easily followed even at home, such as washing hands before eating. Surgical asepsis, or sterile techniques, are practices and procedures intended to keep equipment and areas free from all microorganisms. Surgical asepsis, for example, prevents surgical site infection during sterile wound dressings. Adherence to aseptic techniques reduces healthcare-associated infections, results in shorter hospital stays for patients, and therefore, lowers healthcare costs.

5.9:

Asepsis

The condition of being free from disease-causing living pathogens is asepsis. Aseptic techniques include a set of standard practices to achieve asepsis. An example is the regular environmental cleaning of all parts of the healthcare facility and hand hygiene at home before preparing or eating food. Medical and surgical asepsis in healthcare practice protects patients from harmful pathogens, minimizes the risk of contamination of susceptible sites, and reduces the risk of infection transmission. Asepsis can prevent contamination or break the infection chain.

Medical asepsis, known as the clean technique, decreases the count and transmission of pathogens. It is helpful when caring for patients with infectious diseases, prevents reinfection, and avoids spreading infection throughout the healthcare facility. In addition, it protects healthcare workers from illness. A typical example of medical asepsis is performing hand hygiene.

Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile techniques, are distinct practices and procedures that keep surgical equipment, the surgical theater, and the diagnostic areas free from all pathogens and maintain asepsis. When utilizing sterile techniques, contamination occurs if a non-sterile object touches the sterile equipment or areas. Examples of surgical asepsis procedures are the insertion of an intravenous catheter or an indwelling urinary catheter. In conclusion, adherence to aseptic techniques for infection control is essential for the safety of patients and staff.