Aseptic Technique

Aseptic Technique

Aseptic technique refers to conscious efforts aimed at removing unwanted micro-organism from a particular environment . By way of explanation , the word asepsis ' means the absence of infectious micro-organisms which are often the cause of disease . Ayliffe (55 ) identifies two types of asepsis- medical asepsis (used in wards ) and surgical asepsis (used in operating room . Muscarella (1 ) writes that

Aseptic technique is a set of practices designed to prevent nosocomial infection by providing a clean and safe surgical environment . This technique , which is applicable not only to hospitals ' operating rooms

br but also to hemodialysis centers and out-patient gastrointestinal endoscopy clinics , is multi-faceted and spans many disciplines

The aseptic technique also involves preventing the introduction of these unwanted microorganisms from entering that particular environment A doctors ' surgery is a place where micro-organisms are not wanted because of the harm they will cause . In the operating room the following aseptic techniques need to be observed : disinfection of the site to be operated upon , getting the surgeon and other personnel ready decontaminated surgical attire , surgical hand scrubbing , use of sterile gloves , hair cover , face mask , plastic apron , drapes and barriers sterilizing and wrapping instruments , etc

Human hands are a very active part of the body . As we touch , carry , tap hold onto people , items and surfaces , it is easy to transfer harmful germs . Thus washing hands is an important aseptic technique in the operating room . In the surgery hands need to be washed for 3 minutes using a surgical scrub solution . Illustrations...