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Medical Asepsis

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64 views

Medical Asepsis

Uploaded by

meema.alhassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MEDICAL ASEPSIS

INTRODUCTION
Asepsis is defined as the absence of pathogens. Now, there are two basic types of
asepsis: medical asepsis and surgical asepsis.
• Medical asepsis (a.k.a. “clean technique”): practices that kill some
microorganisms to prevent them from spreading.
• Surgical asepsis (a.k.a. “sterile technique”): practices that completely kill
and eliminate microorganisms.

PAULINE HAYEH
Sanitization
Sanitization refers to cleaning practices and techniques that physically remove
microorganisms. These include hand washing and cleaning of clients’ personal
equipment, clothing, and linens.
There are several things that you should know in order to maintain a sanitary
environment. The most important one is hand hygiene, which includes hand washing
and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Always wash your hands before meals, after using the bathroom, and before
and after any contact with your clients.
• Wash your hands after touching your own or your client’s body fluids, such as
urine, faeces, blood, saliva, vomitus, or genital discharge.
• When coughing or sneezing, always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
or your elbow. Teach your clients to do the same

PAULINE HAYEH
Sanitization
Next up are personal items.

• Each client should have their own soap, cups, toothbrushes, and towels.
• Personal equipment should be regularly cleaned to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
• When cleaning the room and objects, make sure to not stir up the dust (i.e., avoid shaking dirty
linens, and use a moistened cloth or mop to wipe dust).
• When disposing of dirty linens to laundry bins, keep them away from your uniform. This will
prevent the contamination of your uniform, and subsequently, the spread of microorganisms.
• Regularly empty the garbage because trash is a perfect environment for pathogen growth.
• Finally, maintain good personal hygiene and assist your clients to achieve the same!

PAULINE HAYEH
Antisepsis
Antisepsis is the process of killing microorganisms or limiting their growth on the
skin and non-living objects. Chemicals used in antisepsis are called antiseptics, and
the most common ones include rubbing alcohol and iodine. Antiseptics can be used
for hand scrubbing; treating cuts, wounds, and burns; and preoperative skin cleaning.

PAULINE HAYEH
Disinfection
Disinfection refers to the process of killing microorganisms on objects that are
commonly in contact with your clients, such as over bed tables, wheelchairs,
stretchers, urinals, bedpans, and blood pressure cuffs. It’s important to note that
disinfection cannot destroy spores, which are highly resistant forms of
microorganisms that develop in conditions that are inconvenient for their growth.

Chemicals used in disinfection are called disinfectants. In contrast to antiseptics,


disinfectants are much stronger; therefore, they are not used on the skin! Moreover, in
order to prevent skin irritation, you should always wear household or utility gloves
while handling disinfectants.

PAULINE HAYEH

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