surgical asepsis

surgical asepsis.

See asepsis.

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asepsis [a-sep´sis]

1. freedom from infection or infectious material.

2. the absence of viable pathogenic organisms; see also aseptic technique. adj., adj asep´tic.(See accompanying table.)

medical asepsis the use of practices aimed at destroying pathological organisms after they leave the body; employed in the care of patients with infectious diseases to prevent reinfection of the patient and to avoid the spread of infection from one person to another. This is achieved by isolation precautions, in which the objects in the patient's environment are protected from contamination or disinfected as soon as possible after contamination.

surgical asepsis the exclusion of all microorganisms before they can enter an open surgical wound or contaminate a sterile field during surgery. See accompanying table. Measures taken include sterilization of all instruments, drapes, and all other inanimate objects that may come in contact with the surgical wound. All personnel coming in contact with the sterile field perform a surgical hand scrub with an antimicrobial agent and put on a surgical gown and gloves. Further information concerning aseptic technique and technical aspects of perioperative nursing practice can be found in the publication AORN Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines, published by AORN, the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses.

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asepsis

absence of septic matter; freedom from infection or infectious material.

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surgical asepsis

refers to destruction of organisms before they enter the body. It is used in caring for open wounds and in surgical procedures.