![]() Occasionally, large or very expensive medical equipment is sterilized for reuse. For example, at discharge a client usually takes home items such as washbasins, mouth care utensils, and incentive spirometers if he or she does not take them, these items are discarded. After a client leaves a healthcare facility, equipment he or she used is either sterilized or discarded. Sterilization is the process of exposing articles to steam heat under pressure or to chemical disinfectants long enough to kill all microorganisms and spores. Key Concept It is possible to disinfect the skin it is not possible to sterilize the skin. Boiling also can be used to disinfect inanimate objects however, it does not destroy all organisms and does not destroy spores. ![]() They are used on surfaces, such as floors and countertops. Stronger disinfectants include phenol and chlorine bleach, which are generally too strong to be used on living tissue. The skin is considered to be disinfected, rather than just clean. A surgical hand scrub takes longer than regular handwashing and is considered to be a disinfection process. Common methods of disinfection include the use of alcohol wipes, a hexachlorophene (pHisoHex, Septisol) or chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens) soap scrub, or a povidone-iodine (Betadine) scrub, to kill microorganisms on the skin. DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION Disinfectionĭisinfection is a process that results in the destruction of most pathogens, but not necessarily their spores. The bladder is normally considered to be sterile, even though it is open to the outside. Some areas (e.g., the urinary bladder) are susceptible to infection. Either they do not normally open to the outside (e.g., the abdominal cavity or the ovary) or they do not normally contain any microorganisms. Other body parts are considered to be sterile. ![]() These areas are open to the outside and are inhabited by microorganisms at all times. ![]() Examples include the skin, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and upper respiratory tract. Many body parts are clean but not sterile. Key Concept If a sterile item touches a non-sterile item, the sterile item becomes contaminated. A spore is a resting stage of some microorganisms and is resistant to environmental changes. Sterile means that the item or area is free of all microorganisms and spores. Both mechanical cleansing of inanimate objects and handwashing are sufficient to provide medical asepsis the skin or countertop is now considered to be clean. Careful handwashing, including careful cleaning of fingernails, is also part of this process. Mechanical cleansing of inanimate objects, such as tops of medication vials, counters, or blood drawing chairs, is done with a special soap or antiseptic cleanser. The term clean implies that many of the most harmful microorganisms have been removed. (All body fluids are considered to be grossly contaminated.) An object that is grossly contaminated contains visible body fluids, discharges, or dirt. This includes items that are dirty, as well as those that are considered to be only clean. A contaminated object is any object that is not sterile. Dirty is a term for any object that has not been cleaned or sterilized to remove microorganisms. To limit the transfer of microorganisms effectively, the nurse must understand the differences between commonly used terms as they apply to medical asepsis. This topic also discusses steps in surgical asepsis and how to perform selected procedures in which surgical asepsis (sterile technique) is necessary. This topic explains the differences between medical asepsis (clean technique) and surgical asepsis (sterile technique). In addition, in specific circumstances, keeping aspects of the environment sterile is critical to ensure that the client does not develop an infection. Keeping the client and the environment clean is necessary to maintain comfort and well-being, as well as to reduce the risk of infection transmission. Explain the procedure for removal of a retention catheter. Identify what information must be documented following catheter insertion.Ĩ. Describe the procedures for female and male catheterization, demonstrating each on a laboratory model. Demonstrate the correct method for handling sterile supplies or pouring solutions when working with a sterile field.ħ. Demonstrate the proper technique for opening a sterile tray and a sterile package.Ħ. List guidelines to follow when using sterile technique.ĥ. Differentiate between disinfection and sterilization.Ĥ. Differentiate between medical and surgical asepsis.ģ. List examples of sterile and nonsterile body areas.Ģ.
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