Principles of Aseptic Technique in An Operating Room
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.
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.
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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
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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
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