Asepsis

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.