Chapter 1. Infection Control Show
Surgical AsepsisAsepsis refers to the absence of infectious material or infection. Surgical asepsis is the absence of all microorganisms within any type of invasive procedure. Sterile technique is a set of specific practices and procedures performed to make equipment and areas free from all microorganisms and to maintain that sterility (BC Centre for Disease Control, 2010). In the literature, surgical asepsis and sterile technique are commonly used interchangeably, but they mean different things (Kennedy, 2013). Principles of sterile technique help control and prevent infection, prevent the transmission of all microorganisms in a given area, and include all techniques that are practised to maintain sterility. Sterile technique is most commonly practised in operating rooms, labour and delivery rooms, and special procedures or diagnostic areas. It is also used when performing a sterile procedure at the bedside, such as inserting devices into sterile areas of the body or cavities (e.g., insertion of chest tube, central venous line, or indwelling urinary catheter). In health care, sterile technique is always used when the integrity of the skin is accessed, impaired, or broken (e.g., burns or surgical incisions). Sterile technique may include the use of sterile equipment, sterile gowns, and gloves (Perry et al., 2014). Sterile technique is essential to help prevent surgical site infections (SSI), an unintended and oftentimes preventable complication arising from surgery. SSI is defined as an “infection that occurs after surgery in the area of surgery” (CDC, 2010, p. 2). Preventing and reducing SSI are the most important reasons for using sterile technique during invasive procedures and surgeries. Principles of Surgical AsepsisAll personnel involved in an aseptic procedure are required to follow the principles and practice set forth by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). These principles must be strictly applied when performing any aseptic procedures, when assisting with aseptic procedures, and when intervening when the principles of surgical asepsis are breached. It is the responsibility of all health care workers to speak up and protect all patients from infection. See Checklist 9 for the principles of sterile technique.
Video 1.2
What defines whether an object is contaminated nursing?A sterile field becomes contaminated if the nurse turns his or her back to it. Any item that comes into contact with a sterile field must be sterile. Reaching over a sterile field contaminates the sterile field. Any items below waist level are considered contaminated.
When preparing a sterile field which action would be appropriate for the nurse to perform first?Explanation: When adding sterile items to a sterile field, the item is dropped from a height of 6 in (15 cm). When preparing a sterile field, which action would be appropriate for the nurse to take first? Check the packages for expiration date.
What part of the sterile field is considered contaminated quizlet?A sterile object/ or sterile field out of your range of vision or below your waist level, is considered contaminated. A sterile object/or field, becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air. If the sterile barrier is punctured, torn, splashed or wet, it is considered contaminated.
When opening a sterile package the nurse accidentally touches the sterile field what is the appropriate nursing action in this situation?Consider the outer 3-inch edge of a sterile field to be contaminated. d. Open sterile packages so that the first edge of the wrapper is directed toward you. c, If the patient touches the sterile field, discard the supplies and prepare a new sterile field.
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