![]() We use aseptic technique to prevent infections, she says. Reduce a patients risk of exposure to microorganismsÂĪrias points out that all aspects of aseptic technique are part of infection prevention procedures.Employ sterile instruments and other itemsÂ.Remove or kill microorganisms from hands and objectsÂ.Surgical asepsis is most often considered OR-specific, but is used whenever the integrity of the skin or the mucosal barrier is interrupted."Īseptic techniques are those that do some or all of the following:¹ ![]() Aseptic technique is applied in a variety of settings (e.g., starting IV lines, inserting urinary catheters, changing wound dressings), she points out. Denholm, RN, MS, CNOR, a perioperative nursing specialist with the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN)s Center for Nursing Practice, explains that aseptic technique may be confused with sterile technique (surgical asepsis) because they are closely related. However, there may be many variances to aseptic technique and the many definitions can oftentimes get confusing.īonnie G. The general definition of aseptic is without microorganisms.¹ Aseptic technique is the application of preventative measures taken to reduce the likelihood of introducing microorganisms. So whenever you do that you have to take precautions, she asserts. When you put a patient on mechanical ventilation, frequently, you may be putting a hole in their throat to put tubes down or put tubes down the nose all of that introduces organisms from the outside to the inside. IV lines, foley catheters, any kind of surgery, any kind of skin preparation, any time you are poking a hole in a persons body or bypassing the normal body defense. But whenever you are doing anything that bypasses the skin barrier, you should automatically think aseptic technique.Īrias says HCWs should focus on aseptic technique at any time a procedure can introduce microorganism into a persons body. Thats rightly so because that is where the bulk of it is. I think that when you say aseptic technique, a lot of people automatically think operating room or surgical procedure, explains Kathleen Meehan Arias, MS, CIC, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and director of Arias Infection Control Consulting LLC. I realized the importance, and the need, for infection control practitioners (ICPs) to help their staff to not only realize the importance of applying ordered protocols with each individualized patient no matter their location in the facility but also to aid in overshadowing any school of thought that aseptic technique be solely applied to areas encircling the operating room (OR). I had received this article assignment just prior to our admission and I was determining the best approach to take ultimately, I realized that stressing the importance of applying aseptic technique in all clinical settings was an important topic to cover. Nobody was wearing their protective gear, the masks were long forgotten, and other than the one-woman IV team, no one bothered to slip on any gloves either. However, when we would go to the treatment room down the hall, on the same floor to change out her IV, it appeared those precautions were thrown to the wind and now anything goes simply because we now are in a different room. When staff entered our room, they donned the appropriate garb and adhered to the general principals. ![]() For instance, my daughter was under contact and respiratory precautions during our stay. It became apparent to me during my observations that oftentimes when healthcare workers (HCWs) are out of an area requiring certain protocols, they do not always think to follow the same protocols in other areas they may infiltrate. I found myself analyzing their every move. ![]() The printouts I received daily of her nonexistent neutrophils and nearly nonexistent total white blood cell count had me reeling as I looked around her room and watched the staff come and go. I recently had a lot of time to sit back and consider all the different ways in which the sterile field is repeatedly broken in the healthcare environment as I sat with my ill daughter for four days in the hospital as she fought against the highly resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae that had infiltrated her ear. The practice has a place in every clinical setting.Īs the mother of a neutropenic infant, many facets of aseptic technique and infection prevention encircle all aspects of my daily life. The practice of aseptic technique isnt solely isolated to the operating room. Applying Aseptic Technique in all Clinical Settings
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