Asepsis
Nursing 1A
Weeks 1-3
Mt. San Antonio College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
Asepsis
Absence of microorganism
Microorganisms are everywhere!
Healthy people have effective resistance
to most organisms
Patients are more susceptible to
infections due to decreased resistance
(elderly, infants and the chronically ill)
Microorganisms
(Bacteria
Viruses,
Fungi)
Spread by:
Direct
contact
Droplet
Contact with infected article
Air currents
Moist or wet surfaces
Contact is the most common route of
transmission
Medical Asepsis
Includes all practice intended to
confine a specific organism to a
specific area
Limits the number, growth and
transmission of microorganism
Objects are clean or dirty
Sterile Asepsis
Sterile technique (no microbes!)
Practice that keeps and area or
objects free of all microorganism
Practice that destroys
microorganisms and spores
Used for all procedures
involving a sterile area of body
Types of Infection
Colonization
Local
Systemic
Bacteremia
Septicemia
Acute vs. Chronic Infection
Nosocomial Infection
Chain of Infection
Breaking the Chain of Infection
Etiologic Agent (microorganism)
Correct
cleansing, disinfecting or
sterilizing of article before use
Educating pt and support person
about appropriate methods to clean
and disinfect
Reservoir (source)
Changing
dressing when wet/soiled
Appropriate skin and oral hygiene
Disposing of damp/soiled linen
Emptying suction and drain bottles at
end of shift
Portal of exit (from reservoir)
Avoid
talking, coughing. Or sneezing
over open wounds or sterile field
(cover your mouth)
Method of transmission
Proper
hand hygiene
Educate pt and support person to
perform hand hygiene prior to
eating, after elimination and after
touching infectious material
Initiating standard precaution on all
pt, wearing protective equipment
when warranted
Portal of entry to susceptible host
Using sterile technique for invasive
procedures, when exposed to open
wounds or when handling dressings
Placing needles and syringes in punctureresistant container
Susceptible host
Maintaining the integrity of the pt skin and
mucous membrane
Ensuring that the pt receives a balance diet
Educating the public about importance of
immunization
Signs of Localized
Infection
Localized swelling
Localized redness
Pain or tenderness with
palpation or movement
Palpable heat in the infected
area
Loss of function of the body part
affected, depending on the site
and extent of involvement
Signs of Systemic
Infection
Fever
Increased pulse and respiratory
rate if the fever high
Malaise and loss of energy
Anorexia and, in some
situations, nausea and vomiting
Defense against infection
Proper hand hygiene (washing/gel)
Environmental control
Sterile technique when warranted
Identifying and managing patients
at risk
Hand
washing is the single most
effective way to prevent the spread of
organisms.
Hand washing recommendation
When starting shift and leaving
for the day
Before and after pt contact
Before and after procedures
Before and after going to the
bathroom
Hand Hygiene Procedure
See Procedure in Kozier-pg.
688-690, Skill 31-1
CDC Guidelines for
Infection Control
Airborne (small droplet): can
disseminate by air widely. TB,
Varicella
Droplets (large droplet): propelled
short distance in air by coughing,
sneezing and talking. H Influenza
Meningitis, pneumonia
Contact (touching): MRSA,
VRE, RSV, C DIFF
Standard (all pts all the time)
Standard precautions
All blood, body fluids, secretions and
excretions are considered potentially
infectious (except sweat)
Gloves: should be worn for contact w/
blood, body substance non-intact skin,
mucous membranes, surfaces soiled w/
blood and body fluid
Protective goggles: should be worn
during procedures that are likely to cause
splashes of blood or body substance
Masks: are to be worn to reduce risk of
transmission organism via droplet and
airborne routes and splatter of body
substance
Gowns: should be worn during
procedures that are likely to result in
splashes of blood or body substance
Hand washing: should be done
immediately
Needles: should never be recapped, must
be place in puncture resistance container
CPR: should always be performed using a
barrier device instead of mouth to mouth
Correct Order for Donning and
Removing Protective Equipment
Donning
Gown
Mask
Protective
Eyewear
Gloves
Removing
Gloves
Protective
Eyewear
Gown
Mask
Biohazard Alert
