Aseptic Technique

Prepared by Mestawot Wondimu

(BSc, MSc Cardiovascular , cath.lab

nurse)
Learning Objectives

oAt the end of this section student will be To understand

about:

oAseptic technique

oPathogens
Aseptic technique

• Is a collection of medical practices and procedures that helps protect

patients from

-dangerous germs, Bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms( Eliminates

all pathogens)
 Con…

• The concept of asepsis, evolved with the development of

Sterilization , Surgeons learned that all things that come in contact

with a wound should be sterile.

Con…

• Following the development of sterilization, other aspects of

aseptic technique evolved.

- like the refinement of surgical techniques,

- methods and universal precautions to protect patients and personnel

from infection.
Con…

goals of aseptic technique

• To protect the patient from infection and

• To prevent the spread of pathogens (harmful microorganisms).

Con…

Where aseptic technique used?

• Are used in most medical settings, and

• most important when health care professionals need to put

something in to patient body.
Con…

Procedures that involve aseptic technique include:

• ‌Inserting PICC lines ( peripherally insertion central line).

• ‌Performing dialysis ‌
• Inserting catheters.

• ‌Running IVs.

• ‌Inserting chest tubes.

• ‌Performing surgeries.

• Dressing wounds.
Con…

Elements of Aseptic Technique

To make sure an area is free from germs aseptic technique uses four strategies
(elements) to keep things clean:

1.‌Barriers

2.‌Contact guidelines‌

3.Tool and patient preparation

4.‌Environmental controls
Con…

Barriers :

• sterile object that prevents any germs on the HCW from getting on
the patient.

Eg. Masks, Sterile gloves , and sterile gowns.

Con…

‌Contact guidelines:

• Aseptic technique relies on keeping sterile objects guaranteed sterile,

example a scalpel that falls on the floor is non-sterile because the

floor is non-sterile. 
Con…

‌Tool and patient preparation:

• Tools and equipment are sterilized before use unless they’re

prepackaged in sterile environments and

• patient’s skin should also be treated with antiseptic to remove any

germs that are already present.

Con…

‌Environmental controls: controlling the local environment helps

keep germs from floating into the area.
Con…

Types of Aseptic Techniques

Three main types of aseptic technique that medical professionals use, depending on

the situation. ‌

1.Sterile aseptic technique

2.Surgical aseptic technique

3.Standard aseptic technique

Con…

Sterile technique: The strictest form

• Is intended to provide a space that has no germs what’s ever.

• used in surgeries and other large invasive procedures where

infection could be the most dangerous.

• It requires a  sterile room, gloves, gowns, caps. tools, and masks,

along with hand washing and aseptic field.
Con…

Surgical aseptic technique:  is a strict form used outside the

operating room.

• It uses everything that sterile technique uses except for the sterile

operating suite.
Con…

Standard aseptic technique: The most common

• used for things like dialysis or IV insertions. HCW use hand

washing, small aseptic fields, and masks and gloves to keep these
small areas free from germs.
Con…

Medical aseptic(clean) technique : Reduce of pathogen, international

use of technique and procedure prevent the spread of microorganisms.

• Hand hygiene is key

• utilizing barrier technique (PPE)

• Respiratory Hygiene
Con…

• No artificial nail or extenders

• Proper disposal of sharps

• Proper cleaning of equipment and environment

Con…

Clean Technique vs. Aseptic Technique

• Not every medical procedure requires full aseptic technique.

• Minor procedures like physical exams can be performed

with clean technique, which is less strict, and

doesn’t involve breaking the skin and puts you at much less risk of
infection than invasive procedures
Con…

• Other differences includes:‌Sterile objects can touch non-sterile

objects.

• ‌Environments must be clean, but not necessarily aseptic.

• Supplies and materials are kept clean, dry, and uncontaminated,

but full sterility isn’t required.

• ‌Gloves must be clean but not necessarily sterile and ‌the difference

is due to the risk involved.

Pathogens

• Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease

• those are:
-Bacteria ,Viruses, Fungi, Parasite
Con…

• Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms,

also known as prokaryotes.

• can live in almost any type of environment, from

extreme heat to intense cold.

• transported in the air,water,soil,body tissue and in

animated object.
Con…

• There are trillions of strains of bacteria, and few cause

diseases in humans.
Eg. E.coli , staph auras and Enterococci
Con…

• Viruses: must inter a living cell to reproduce

• Fungi: are yeast and molds.

• Parasite: live on other living things (worms).

Con…

Blood born pathogens: Most common infectious

microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease
in human.

• These pathogens that may be found in the blood:

- human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)

- Hepatitis B (HBV) and (HCV).

Con…

Nosocomial infection

• is Health care associated infection patient and health

care professionals bring germs inside hospitals and pass
them to each other.
Con…

Common example NI’s

• Central line –associated blood stream infection

(CLABSI).

• Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

• Surgical site infections (SSI).

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Con…

Most common pathogens :

-E.coli , staph auras and Enterococci because they are

normally found on the skin and mucus membrane.
Con…

Things that increase risk for NI’s

• Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures

• Iv site

• Urinary catheter

• Surgical or other wound

Con…

• Compromised host, Elderly , new born , AIDS patient

• Insufficient hand hygiene.

• Non-adherence to standard precaution.

• Poor client hygiene.

• Poor cleaning practices regarding equipment's and/or

environment.
Con…

Source of infectious

• Can be caused by Exogenous or Endogenous sources.

Exogenous

• Visitors other patients, Health care personnel ,equipment or

environment.

Endogenous

• patient’s own resident flora.

Con…

Method of transmission of NI’s

• Direct and indirect

Indirect transmission is the most common

By mechanical transfer of agent on hand and cloth of

health care worker, contaminated with organisms from
their Owen body or from other patient.
Con…

• Because of the frequency of community-acquired

infections and the potential development of nosocomial
infection, the ideal state of an infection-free procedure is
not always a reality.

• Careful attention to the creation and maintenance of a

safe and therapeutic environment is mandatory.

Con…

• Knowledge and methods of control are the basis of

prevention of infection.

• Aseptic and sterile techniques based on sound scientific

principles are carried out primarily to prevent
transmission of microorganisms that cause infection
Con…

• To prevent infection, all possible measures are taken to

create and maintain a therapeutic environment for the
patient.

• a single break in technique may result in a potentially

fatal complication.
Individual assignment

oMethods of Sterilization and Disinfection