NRG301RLE

SURGICAL ASEPSIS

DANIEL B. GARCIA, JR., RN, MSN, FPCHA, DCE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the skill portion of this unit of
instruction, the DDC students will be able to:

1. Define Surgical Asepsis

2. Identify the principles in ensuring sterility of medical
items
3. Discuss the principles of surgical asepsis
4. Emphasize the importance of surgical asepsis in
reducing the incidence of hospital acquired infection.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
SURGICAL ASEPSIS

Refers to the procedures used to keep the

object or areas sterile or completely free
from micro organisms.

In surgical asepsis all practices are

directed to the elimination of both
pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

THE BASICS:

Green = Sterile

Red = Contaminated

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

ENSURING STERILITY:
▪ Sterile goods are stored in clean, dry
areas.
▪ Sterile items are handled with clean,
dry hands.
▪ Sterile packages are laid on dry
surfaces.
▪ If a sterile package becomes damp or
wet, it is considered nonsterile and
therefore, cannot be used.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

 STERILE PACKAGING:
▪ The integrity of a sterile package or
sterile drape is destroyed by
perforation, puncture, or strike
through.
▪ Strike-through is the soaking of
moisture through nonsterile layers to
sterile layers or vice versa.
▪ Package expiration date for sterility
must be checked just prior to opening
it.
NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE
PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Always face the sterile field. Do
not turn back or side on a sterile
field.
Rationale
Sterile objects which are out of
vision are considered questionable
and their sterility cannot be
guaranteed.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Keep sterile equipment above
your waist level or above table
level.
Rationale
Waist level and table level are
considered margins of safety
and will promote maximum
visibility of the sterile field.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Do not speak, sneeze and
cough over a sterile field.

Rationale
To prevent or droplet infection.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Never reach across sterile
Field.

Rationale
When a nonsterile object is held
above a sterile object, Gravity
causes microorganisms to fall into
the sterile field.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Keep the unsterile objects
away from the sterile field.

Rationale
Micro organisms may be
transferred whenever a non
sterile object touches a
sterile field.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Keep the sterile field dry.

Rationale
Micro organisms do not pass
easily through a dry surface.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
The edge of the sterile
field is considered
unsterile.
Rationale
Proximity to a contaminated
area makes sterility doubtful.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Handle liquids cautiously
near the sterile field or
prevent drapes or wrappers from
becoming wet.
Rationale
When a liquid wets it
connects a nonsterile field
with a sterile field.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Each sterile supply should
be clearly labeled as to its
contents, time and date of
sterilization.
Rationale
To ensure sterility.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Never assume that a
object is sterile. Always
check the sterility
expiration date.
Rationale
Sterility of an object
wrapped in paper or cloth
becomes doubtful after 4
weeks.
NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE
PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Avoid sweeping and dusting when
the sterile objects are opened.

Rationale
Micro–organisms travel in
the dust particles.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES IN SURGICAL ASEPSIS:
Principle
Put on mask, Wash hands,
put on gowns and gloves
before handling sterile
supplies.
Rationale
To prevent contamination.

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

REFERENCES:

Textbook: Kennedy, 2013; Infection Control Today, 2000; ORNAC,

2011; Perry et al., 2014; Rothrock, 2014

Website Data Source:

https://www.slideshare.net/thilagavathik/2surgical-asepsis

NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

 Thank you for
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NRG301RLE: PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE