ASEPSIS

ASEPSIS
Asepsis is the freedom from disease-causing
microorganism.

What does it mean?

The environment is free from contamination of
microorganisms.
 Aseptic Technique

An effort to make client free from exposure to

disease causing microorganisms.

Aseptic Techniques has two types:

1. Medical Asepsis
2. Surgical Asepsis
 Defining Asepsis

Medical Asepsis Surgical Asepsis

Definition Clean Technique Sterile Technique

Emphasis Freedom from most Freedom from all

pathogenic organisms pathogenic organisms

Purpose Reduce transmission of Prevent introduction of

pathogenic organisms any organism into an
from one patient-to - open wound or sterile
another body cavity
MEDICAL ASEPSIS
 Also known as CLEAN
TECHNIQUE

What is It is the measures used to

MEDICAL prevent spread of
microorganism from one place
ASEPSIS? to another

The measures aimed at

REDUCING the number or
spreading of microorganism.
Examples of Medical Asepsis Technique:

1.Handwashing (most important)

2.Changing client’s bed daily
3.Routine environment cleaning
Microorganisms are:
1. Too small to be seen
2. Located everywhere:
◦ In the air
◦ In the water
◦ In food
◦ In clothes
When can you say
that an area is
contaminated?
If the area is suspected of containing
pathogen.

Example:
◦ Soiled linens
◦ Used hospital materials/equipment
◦ Uncleaned hands
How do microorganisms spread?

Touching the linens or

Touching someone who
other belongings of a
has an
person who has an
infection.
infection.

Handling or consuming
Sneezing or
contaminated food,
coughing
medications or water
 Perform handwashing

What can you

do to maintain Utilize gloves, mask, gown

medical
asepsis in the Clean equipment
facility?
Handle linens in ways that prevent
germs from spreading
Remember!

Medical aseptic practices are involved in all nursing activities

because microorganisms are always present in the
environment. An awareness of how microorganisms are
transmitted is essential for safe nursing practices.
SURGICAL ASEPSIS
 Also known as STERILE TECHNIQUE

What is
SURGICAL Practices that keep an area or FREE
from ALL microorganism

ASEPSIS?
practices that destroy all
microorganisms and spores
(microscopic dormant structures
formed by some pathogens that are
very hardy and often survive common
cleaning techniques)
Areas or objects that are free form all
microorganism is called

STERILE
(sterile area, sterile object)
Application of
sterile field
◦ In the operating room

◦ When doing nursing procedures

such as:
- IV insertion
- Wound dressing
When contaminated objects touch a sterile area or
object it will be considered:

UNSTERILE
(unsterile area, unsterile object)
Remember!

Slightest break in the sterile technique results in

contamination.
Remember!

Sterile objects become unsterile when touched by unsterile objects.

Sterile items that are out of vision or below the waist level of the nurse are
considered unsterile.

Sterile objects can become unsterile by prolong exposure to airborne

microorganisms.

Fluids flow in the direction of gravity.

Remember!

Moisture that passes through a sterile object draws microorganism from

unsterile surfaces above or below to the surface by capillary reaction.

The edges of a sterile field are considered unsterile.

The skin cannot be sterilized and is unsterile.

Conscientiousness, alertness and honesty are essential qualities in

maintaining surgical asepsis
Procedures include in Surgical Asepsis

Surgical Hand Scrub

Donning gown

Applying and removing gloves

Sterilization of equipment
STERILIZATION
RECAP
For chain of infection, please watch the video attached in the
LMS or visit this link

https://youtu.be/IBX3jj2uUjo
 HANDWASHING
Handwashing is the act of cleaning one’s hands with the use of any liquid with or without soap
for the purpose of removing dirt or microorganisms. It is the most effective measure in
reducing the risk of transmitting infectious diseases.

PURPOSE
◦ To prevent possible transfer of microorganisms,
◦ To reduce the risk of cross contamination among clients.
◦ To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious organisms to oneself
◦ To reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands
My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

defines the key moments when health-

care workers should perform hand
hygiene.

This evidence-based, field-tested,

user-centered approach is designed
to be easy to learn, logical and
applicable in a wide range of settings.
Your 5 Moments
for Hand Hygiene
O RE
ASEPT
EF EAN/ IC
L OCEDURE

B
C R

P
2
1 4
BEFORE AFTER
TOUCHING TOUCHING
A PATIENT A PATIENT

3
Y

D
E

AF
T E R BO U
R

FLU
I D X P OS
RIS E
K

5
AFTER
TOUCHING PATIENT
SURROUNDINGS

1 BEFORE TOUCHING
A PATIENT
WHEN?
WHY?
Clean your hands before touching a patient when approaching him/her.
To protect the patient against harmful germs carried on your hands.

2 BEFORE CLEAN/
ASEPTIC PROCEDURE
WHEN?
WHY?
Clean your hands immediately before performing a clean/aseptic procedure.
To protect the patient against harmful germs, including the patient's own, from entering his/her body.

3 AFTER BODY FLUID

EXPOSURE RISK
WHEN?
WHY?
Clean your hands immediately after an exposure risk to body fluids (and after glove removal).
To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

4 AFTER TOUCHING
A PATIENT
WHEN?
WHY?
Clean your hands after touching a patient and her/his immediate surroundings, when leaving the patient’s side.
To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

5 AFTER
TOUCHING PATIENT
SURROUNDINGS
WHEN? Clean your hands after touching any object or furniture in the patient’s immediate surroundings,
when leaving – even if the patient has not been touched.
WHY? To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this document. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.
WHO acknowledges the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG), in particular the members of the Infection Control Programme, for their active participation in developing this material.

May 2009