Principles of Aseptic Technique and Infection Control
Procedures
Monday, 13 June 2022 7:18 pm Cuevas, Cris Maraefiel D.
Asepsis
The freedom from disease-causing microorganisms
• Medical asepsis
- Includes all practices intended to confine a specific microorganism to
a specific area
- Limiting the number, growth, and transmission of microorganisms
- Objects are referred to as clean, which means the absence of almost
all microorganisms, or dirty (soiled/contaminated)
• Surgical asepsis
- Sterile technique
- Practices that keep an area or object free of all microorganisms
- Practices that destroy all microorganisms and spores
- Used for all procedures involving sterile areas of the body
Principles of Aseptic Technique
1. Sterile objects become unsterile when touched by unsterile objects
2. Sterile items that are out of vision or below the waist level of the
nurse are considered unsterile
3. Sterile objects can become unsterile by prolonged exposure to
airborne microorganisms
4. Fluids flow in the direction of gravity
5. Moisture that passes through a sterile object draws microorganism
from unsterile surfaces above or below the surface by capillary
reaction
6. The edges of a sterile field are considered unsterile
7. Skin can't be sterilized and is unsterile
8. Conscientiousness, alertness and honesty are essential qualities in
maintaining surgical asepsis
Sepsis
Is the condition in which acute organ dysfunction occurs secondary to
infection
FNP - LEC Page 1
, infection
Nature of Infection
1. Infection
- Is the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms
resulting in disease
- Local or systemic (limited to a specific part only)
- Acute or chronic (invaded different parts of the body)
2. Colonization
- Is the presence and growth of microorganisms within a host but
without tissue invasion or damage
3. Communicable disease
- Is an infectious disease can be transmitted directly from one person
to another
If the pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms, the
infection is symptomatic.
If clinical signs and symptoms are not present, the illness is termed as
asymptomatic.
Nosocomial infections - hospital acquired infection (HAI)
The Chain of Infection
1. Infectious agent
- Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa
2. Reservoir
- Is a place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer
to a susceptible host
3. Port of exit
- Sites such as blood, skin, and mucous membranes, respiratory tract,
genitourinary tract, GI tract, and transplacental (mother to fetus),
reproductive tract, urinary tract
FNP - LEC Page 2
Procedures
Monday, 13 June 2022 7:18 pm Cuevas, Cris Maraefiel D.
Asepsis
The freedom from disease-causing microorganisms
• Medical asepsis
- Includes all practices intended to confine a specific microorganism to
a specific area
- Limiting the number, growth, and transmission of microorganisms
- Objects are referred to as clean, which means the absence of almost
all microorganisms, or dirty (soiled/contaminated)
• Surgical asepsis
- Sterile technique
- Practices that keep an area or object free of all microorganisms
- Practices that destroy all microorganisms and spores
- Used for all procedures involving sterile areas of the body
Principles of Aseptic Technique
1. Sterile objects become unsterile when touched by unsterile objects
2. Sterile items that are out of vision or below the waist level of the
nurse are considered unsterile
3. Sterile objects can become unsterile by prolonged exposure to
airborne microorganisms
4. Fluids flow in the direction of gravity
5. Moisture that passes through a sterile object draws microorganism
from unsterile surfaces above or below the surface by capillary
reaction
6. The edges of a sterile field are considered unsterile
7. Skin can't be sterilized and is unsterile
8. Conscientiousness, alertness and honesty are essential qualities in
maintaining surgical asepsis
Sepsis
Is the condition in which acute organ dysfunction occurs secondary to
infection
FNP - LEC Page 1
, infection
Nature of Infection
1. Infection
- Is the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms
resulting in disease
- Local or systemic (limited to a specific part only)
- Acute or chronic (invaded different parts of the body)
2. Colonization
- Is the presence and growth of microorganisms within a host but
without tissue invasion or damage
3. Communicable disease
- Is an infectious disease can be transmitted directly from one person
to another
If the pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms, the
infection is symptomatic.
If clinical signs and symptoms are not present, the illness is termed as
asymptomatic.
Nosocomial infections - hospital acquired infection (HAI)
The Chain of Infection
1. Infectious agent
- Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa
2. Reservoir
- Is a place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer
to a susceptible host
3. Port of exit
- Sites such as blood, skin, and mucous membranes, respiratory tract,
genitourinary tract, GI tract, and transplacental (mother to fetus),
reproductive tract, urinary tract
FNP - LEC Page 2
