The document discusses principles of medical and surgical asepsis. It outlines various methods to control infectious agents and prevent their spread, including proper cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, isolation practices, and protecting the susceptible host. It emphasizes maintaining the integrity of skin and mucous membranes, as well as protecting normal defense mechanisms and healing processes. Different categories of isolation are described to prevent transmission of contagious infections via various routes. Surgical asepsis involves hand washing, gowning, gloving, wearing a mask, and taking precautions when handling sterile supplies.

1. MEDICAL AND SURGICAL
ASEPSIS
MRS.P.CHRISTENA, M.SC-OBG
LECTURER

2. MEDICAL ASEPSIS
 The nurse follows certain principles and procedures to control and prevent the spread of infection
 Basic medical techniques are focused on breaking the chain of reaction.
 This can be achieve by various methods,

3. Control or elimination
of infectious agents
Measures for Control
or elimination of
reservoirs of infection
control of portals of
exit
Control of
transmission of
infection
Control of portal of
entry
Protection of
susceptible host
Isolation practices

5.  Proper cleaning by water and mechanical action with or without detergents.
 Disinfection
 Sterilization of contaminated objects, sterilization and disinfection are physical processes,
involving the use of heat , radiation, chemical processes, etc, which use various solutions or
gases

7.  Bathing with soap and water to remove secretion, drainage, perspiration, etc
 Frequent change of dressings
 Proper disposal of wastes and contaminated articles
 Disposal of contaminated needles and syringes in moisture- resistant , puncture-proof container
 Keep the patients bedside unit clean, dry and biologically safe
 Bottled solutions should be placed with tight caps as per instructions
 Keep drainage tubes and collection bags of the patient s to prevent accumulation of serous fluid under the
skin surface of surgical wounds
 Empty and dispose of drainage suction bottles according to agency policy

9.  Practise aseptic precautions
 Avoid talking directly into the client’s face to prevent droplet infections
 Wearing of masks is important once the nurse herself has infection or deals with clients suffering from
infections
 Careful handling of waste like urine, faeces, emesis and blood is important
 Disposable gloves should be worn to prevent direct contact with wastes or infected materials

11.  Discourage sharing of bedpans, urinals, basins, eating utensils, etc.
 Use separate thermometer for infectious patients
 Damp dusting should be done to prevent scattering of dust, etc in the air
 Protect own clothing from direct contact with infected materials
 practise hand-washing techniques. This is recommended in the following situations,
 Before contact with clients who are susceptible to infection
 After caring for an infected client
 After touching infected materials
 Before performing invasive procedure like administration of injections, suction, catheterization, etc
 Before and after handling dressings or touching open wounds
 After handling contaminated equipment
 Between contact with different clients in high- risk units

13.  Maintain itergrity of skin and mucous membrane
 Proper postioning of tubings, etc,.may prevent injuries and skin breakdown
 Regular skin care is essential with application of lubricants
 Turning and positioning of debilitated clients will help in preventing a skin breakdown
 Ensure personal hygiene of clients regularly
 Dispose of contaminated syringes and needles properly to prevent accidental injuries to hospital
personnel as well as clients


15. Protection of
susceptible
host
Protecting normal
defence mechanism
Maintaining healing
processes

16. Protecting normal defence mechanism

17. Maintaining healing processes
 Promoting intake of well balanced diet
 Institution of measures to improve appetite of the patients
 Promotion of comfort and sleep
 Helping to identify methods to relieve stress

19. Disease-specific
isolation methods
Category specific
isolation

20. CATEGORY OF ISOLATION PURPOSES
Strict isolation
Prevents transmission of highly contagious or virulent infections spread by
air and contact
Contact isolation
Prevents transmission of highly transmissible infections spread by close or
direct contacts that do not warrant strict precautions
Respiratory isolation
Prevents transmission of highly transmissible infections spread by close or
direct contacts that do not warrant strict precautions
Enteric isolation Prevents infection transmitted by direct or indirect contact with faeces
Drainage and secretion precautions
( wound and skin isolation)
Prevents infection transmitted by direct or indirect contact with purulent
material or drainage from an infected body site
Universal blood and body fluid precautions
(blood isolation)
Prevents contact with pathogens transmitted by direct or indirect contact
with infected blood or body fluids containing blood
Care of severely immuno-compromised
clients
Protects the clients with lowered immunity and resistance from acquiring
infectious organisms

21. SURGICAL ASEPSIS
 It involves,
 Hand washing
 Gowning
 Gloving
 Wearing mask
 Precautions while handling sterile supplies