funda lab

• Asepsis refers to the absence of germs like bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause disease
• Types of asepsis:

  • Medical asepsis/clean technique: reduces the number and transmission of pathogens
  • Surgical asepsis/sterile technique: renders and keeps objects and areas free from all pathogens
• Medical asepsis involves practices that minimize/reduce microorganisms, like basic hand washing and cleaning equipment, while surgical asepsis eliminates microorganisms, requiring sterile hand scrubbing and sterile equipment and supplies
• Infection is when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter the body and begin to multiply, while sepsis is a life-threatening condition that develops from blood poisoning, usually triggered by local infection
• Isolation is the separation of persons with communicable diseases from others to prevent transmission, contamination renders something unclean or unsterile, disinfection eliminates some pathogenic microorganisms, and sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including their spores
• The chain of infection describes the spread of infection through steps like etiologic/infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host
• Modes of transmission include contact, droplet, airborne, vector-borne, and vehicle-borne, each describing how pathogens move from one source to another
• Stages of infection include incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescent stages, each describing different intervals and manifestations of the disease process
• Aseptic technique refers to practices used by healthcare professionals to prevent infection or interrupt the infection chain, with principles underlying asepsis focusing on preventing the spread of infection and the conscientiousness of those carrying out aseptic practices
• Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, is crucial in reducing the transmission of infection in healthcare settings, with the WHO recommending 5 moments for hand hygiene
• 5 moments for Hand Hygiene (WHO):

  • Before touching or coming into contact with a patient
  • Before performing a clean or aseptic procedure
  • After an exposure to bodily fluids and glove removal
  • After contact with a patient and their immediate surroundings
  • After touching an inanimate object in the patient's immediate surroundings even if no direct patient contact
• Hand Washing Purpose:

  • To avoid the spread of infection
  • For cleanliness
  • To serve as an example to the patient

  Materials: Soap/Liquid soap, Soap dish, Hand towel, Paper towel
• Hand Washing Procedure:

  • Prepare the necessary supplies to save time
  • Stand in front of the sink, ensuring the uniform doesn't touch the sink to prevent contamination
  • Remove jewelry to facilitate proper cleansing and prevent microorganism accumulation
  • Turn on water, adjust force and temperature until warm to open pores and remove oil from the skin
  • Wet from wrist area to hands, keeping hands lower than elbow to allow water to flow towards the fingertips
  • Use soap, lather thoroughly, wash palm, back of the hand, each finger, inter-digital spaces, knuckles, fingernails, wrist with firm rubbing and circular motion
  • Continue friction for 15-20 seconds based on the degree of contamination
  • Rinse thoroughly to remove organisms and dirt into the sink
  • Pat dry hands and wrists with hand towel, use paper towel to turn off the faucet, discard paper towel
• • Use lotion on hand if desired to keep skin soft and prevent chapping
• Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) act as a barrier to minimize the potential spread of infection and protect healthcare workers, patients, relatives, and visitors
• Sequence for Putting on PPE:

  • MASK (with ear loops)
  • CAP
  • GOWNING
  • GLOVING

  (Note: First in, last out in removing)
• Sterile Gloving Technique Steps:

  • Perform hand washing to facilitate removal of microorganisms
  • Select appropriate size of gloves to enhance workability and save time
  • Prepare adequate work area below the waist level
  • Open pack properly by touching the outside part only to ensure non-contamination of the folded sterile gloves
  • Place gloves with cuff end towards the body for easy access
  • Grasp first glove touching cuff end only to prevent contamination of the sterile area
  • Pull glove on and position fingers to prevent contamination
  • Lift the second glove by slipping gloved hands under the cuff to maintain sterility
  • Pull glove on and position fingers, avoiding touching any unsterile objects