Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Principles of Aseptic Technique in An Operating Room

    Uploaded by

    Raima Marjian Sucor
    1K views2 pages
    There are nine key principles of aseptic technique that must be followed in an operating room to prevent microbial contamination of surgical sites: 1) Only sterile items are used within the sterile field. 2) Sterile fields and objects can become contaminated if touched by unsterile items or exposed to air for too long. 3) Areas and objects outside of direct vision or below the waist are considered unsterile. 4) Strict adherence to sterile technique is required to maintain a contaminant-free environment during surgical procedures.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    Principles of Aseptic Technique in an Operating Room

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    There are nine key principles of aseptic technique that must be followed in an operating room to prevent microbial contamination of surgical sites: 1) Only sterile items are used within the sterile field. 2) Sterile fields and objects can become contaminated if touched by unsterile items or exposed to air for too long. 3) Areas and objects outside of direct vision or below the waist are considered unsterile. 4) Strict adherence to sterile technique is required to maintain a contaminant-free environment during surgical procedures.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    1K views2 pages

    Principles of Aseptic Technique in An Operating Room

    Uploaded by

    Raima Marjian Sucor
    There are nine key principles of aseptic technique that must be followed in an operating room to prevent microbial contamination of surgical sites: 1) Only sterile items are used within the sterile field. 2) Sterile fields and objects can become contaminated if touched by unsterile items or exposed to air for too long. 3) Areas and objects outside of direct vision or below the waist are considered unsterile. 4) Strict adherence to sterile technique is required to maintain a contaminant-free environment during surgical procedures.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    Principles of Aseptic Technique in an Operating Room

    Surgical asepsis, or aseptic technique, is designed to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms from areas or objects. It is also used to keep areas and objects free of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis demands more precautions than medical asepsis. Aseptic technique is commonly used in surgery, labor and delivery, in procedures that involve puncturing the skin, when the skin's layers are penetrated by surgical incisions or burns, and during procedures that involve putting objects into normally sterile body cavities. There are nine principles that must be followed to prevent microorganisms from infecting a wound during surgery.

    Sterile Fields
    1. The first principle of surgical asepsis states that all materials in a sterile field must be sterile. All objects added to your sterile field must also be sterile. If you put your hands into the sterile field, they must be covered using sterile gloving technique and the gloves should also begin in sterile packaging. The second principle states that a sterile barrier that has been compromised by punctures, tears or moisture has to be considered contaminated. If a sterile field has been set up and it is accidentally torn, the openings can allow microorganisms to invade and contaminate.

    Sterile Borders
    2. The third principle states that once a package is opened, a 2.5 cm (1 inch) border around the edge is considered unsterile. For example, many procedures contain setup of sterile packaging that is opened before sterile gloves are applied. During this time the 1 inch unsterile border is the only section that can be touched. The fourth principle states that tables draped as part of a sterile field are considered sterile only at the table level. Therefore the table legs, underside of the table, or any shelves below the table level are to be considered unsterile.

    Sterility Questions
    3. The fifth principle examines questions or doubts. It states that if there are any questions or doubts about an object's sterility, the object should be considered unsterile. The sixth principle states that sterile people and objects should only come into contact with sterile fields, and unsterile people and objects should only come into contact with unsterile areas, such as the 2.5 cm border.

    Movement and Range of Vision


    4. The seventh principle states that movement around or in the sterile field must not compromise or contaminate the sterile field. While performing procedures requiring a sterile field, it is important to remember that correct sterile technique must always be followed. The eighth principle says that anything out of your range of vision or below waist level is considered contaminated and unsterile. For instance, if an object is dropped below the waist, it is no longer sterile. The backside of the body, which is out of your range of vision, is also considered unsterile. Therefore, you should never turn your back on your sterile field and bring all tables needed in procedures up to your waist level.

    Air Exposure
    5. The ninth and last principle of surgical asepsis states that a sterile object or field can become contaminated by lingering exposure to air. While performing a sterile procedure, one should stay organized and finish the procedure as quickly as possible.

    http://www.ehow.com/about_5054498_principles-aseptic-technique-operating-room.html

    Only sterile items are used within sterile field. 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. 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

    http://nursingcrib.com/nursing-notes-reviewer/principles-of-aseptic-technique/
    PRINCIPLES 1. Only sterile items are used within the sterile field. 2. Gowns are considered sterile only from waist to shoulders level in front and the sleeves. 3. Tables are sterile only at table level. 4. Persons who are sterile touch only sterile items or areas; persons who are not sterile touch only unsterile items or areas. 5. Unsterile persons avoid reaching over a sterile field; sterile persons avoid leaning over an unsterile area. 6. Edges of anything that encloses sterile contents are considered unsterile. 7. Sterile field is created as close as possible to time of use. 8. Sterile areas are continuously kept in view. 9. Sterile persons keep well within the sterile area. 10. Sterile persons keep contact with sterile areas to a minimum. 11. Unsterile persons avoid sterile areas 12. Destruction of integrity of microbial barriers results in contamination. 13.Microorganisms must be kept to an irreducible minimum

    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_principles_of_aseptic_technique

    You might also like