Aseptic Technique Essay

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Latasha Clark BIO 2923-VA Mrs. Leslie Hood January 31, 2010 The Aseptic Technique The aseptic technique refers to the overall sterilization of most clinical settings, but is used most strictly in an operating room environment. This technique is used to minimize the spread of pathogenic organisms and protect patients from infection. The patient himself is the most common source of these pathogens; therefore nurses must shave and sterilize the area of the patient set to be operated on. For nurses and doctors, hand washing is considered the most important step in the aseptic technique. Pre-op and post-op hands must be scrubbed thoroughly from 2 to 5 minutes with warm water and antimicrobial soaps. Clothing, tools and other devices are to be sterilized also before coming into contact with the operating area. Nurses and doctors have specific guidelines to follow when applying face mask and operating robes. Donning gloves is also a task as to the outer part of the gloves has to stay as dry and clean as possible. Even the backs of the sterile staff are considered to be a risk as they are not seen to be sterilized for an operation. Special care is also taken when operating instruments are chosen; these instruments usually come in pre-prep packages with special tape that changes colors when the tool is sterile. Nurses are also responsible for setting up sterile drapes around the operating area; this is done to prevent any pathogens from getting in from the non-sterile outside area. All of these steps are taken by doctors and nurses in the aseptic technique to contain the spread of pathogens through movement, touch and proximity. Works Cited Hunt, Max L. “Training Manual for Intranenous Admixture Personnel”. Baxter Health Care Corp., pg 1-117. Mangram, Alicia, Teresa Horan, Michele Peareon, Leah Christine Silver, and William Jarvis. “Guideline for Prevention of

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