The document defines asepsis as the destruction of organisms after they leave the body. It discusses aseptic techniques like hand hygiene, wearing gloves and PPE, and using clean sterile supplies to prevent the transfer of pathogens. Surgical asepsis maintains a sterile environment to prevent microorganisms from entering the body through sanitation, disinfection and sterilization. The three steps to achieve sterility are sanitization, disinfection and sterilization which clean, destroy bacteria and kill all microorganisms respectively. Autoclaving uses steam pressure and dry heat to sterilize instruments and has time requirements depending on the item.

1. Module 4

2. What is Asepsis? Definition: The destruction of organisms after they leave the body Aseptic Technique: reducing the transfer of pathogens in the medical office Surgical Asepsis: Maintenance of a sterile environment in order to prevent microorganisms from entering the body. Includes: sanitation, disinfection, sterilization Nosocomial Infection: An infection acquired while in a medical facility

3. What Are Aseptic Practices? Hand Hygiene Disposable Equipment Wearing Gloves Ordinary Hygiene Habits Not Wearing Jewelry Cleaning all Nondisposable Equipment Using only clean sterile supplies for patients PPE Using Biohazard garbage for Infectious wastes and substances

4. First Line of Defense Proper Hand Washing Procedure 4-2 pg. 48-49

5. Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs Advantages: no rinsing and have emollients to prevent drying of skin Disadvantages: more expensive than hand soap and may sting on abrasions CDC Guidelines: can be used, but if hands are visibly soiled; need to be washed Use: Remove jewelry Use 2-3ml of gel Rub for 15-30 seconds Spread over both surfaces, ½ inch above wrist

6. Disposal of Infectious Waste Procedure 4-1 pg. 46

7. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Include: gowns, gloves, and masks Worn to protect you from patient’s bodily fluids and to protect the patient from microorganisms on street clothes or uniform Should be worn when contamination is possible When wearing more than one piece of PPE, always take off gloves first—Think dirtiest removed first!! Remove mask last Always wash hands after removing PPE!!

8. Nonsterile gown Putting on and Removal Fig 4-3 pg. 50 Fig 4-4 pg. 51

9. Surgical Asepsis Definition: Techniques to maintain a sterile environment. Destruction of organisms before they enter the body Sterility: Absence of microorganisms

10. 3 Steps to Sterility Sanitization Disinfection Sterilization

11. Sanitization Definition: inhibits or inactivates pathogens by means of careful scrubbing of equipment and instruments using a brush and a detergent with a neutral pH, rinsing in hot water, air drying This cleans but does not destroy bacteria Can be used for supplies that do not come directly in contact with patient Another form is with ultrasound, but must be allowed by manufactures recommendations

12. Disinfection Definition: The soaking and wiping process Destroys or inhibits the activity of disease causing organisms Not effective against spores Examples of : Chemical Germicides Zephiran Chloride Chlorophenol Alcohol Betadine

13. Objects/Instruments for Disinfecting Any object coming in contact with mucous membranes should be disinfected and sterilized right away. Instruments such as microscopes that cannot be soaked, need to be wiped down In surgical rooms some equipment may need to be disinfected with UV rays Boiling water can be a disinfectant, but does not kill viruses or destroy spores…distilled water, 212 degrees, completely immersed, for 20-30min To maintain disinfection/touch with sterile forceps

14. Sterilization Definition: kills all microorganisms, both pathogenic and nonpathogenic Heat-autoclave Chemicals High-Velocity electron bombardment UV light radiation **Sterile items can only be touched with sterile gloves or other instruments**

15. Autoclave Steam pressure, dry heat, dry gas, or radiation used to sterile Economical in the medical office Destroys organisms by making them explode Use distilled water for steam pressure Each item needs to be wrapped in a permeable cloth/paper Also needs taped with autoclave indicator tapes

16. 3 Gauges of Autoclave Jacket gauge pressure, in outer chamber Chamber pressure, inner chamber Temperature gauge

17. Sterilization Time Requirements Table 4-2 pg. 56

18. Wrapping Instruments for Autoclaving Procedure 4-4 pg. 57

19. Drying Autoclaved Goods Moisture can allow bacteria to grow, drying is almost as important as autoclaving Open door to autoclave ¾” just before the drying cycle

20. Sterilization Indicators/ Shelf-Life Different varieties of indicator strips, indicates that the products have been properly sterilized Sterile 21-30 days, use oldest first