Lecture: asepsis,antisepsis, sterilization, disinfection.

Summary

This course on general surgery covers the essential principles of antisepsis, asepsis, and sterilization. It introduces key topics like the definition of general surgery, the importance of antiseptic techniques, and the various sterilization methods used in surgical practice. The course provides an in-depth look at cleaning procedures for surgical instruments, including manual, ultrasonic, and mechanical washing, as well as sterilization techniques like heat, radiation, and chemicals. Additionally, it emphasizes proper surgical hand scrubbing, gowning, and aseptic techniques to ensure a sterile environment during surgeries, preventing infections and promoting patient safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 Surgery is a medical branch concerned with treating injuries, diseases, and disorders using manual and instrumental techniques, including various specialties like general surgery, dental surgery, and neurosurgery.
• 😀 General surgery encompasses a wide range of surgeries, such as those involving the gastrointestinal tract, breast conditions, kidney punctures, liver transplants, trauma care, and vascular disease management.
• 😀 Antisepsis and asepsis are foundational principles in surgery, aimed at preventing wound contamination by ensuring sterile conditions during surgical procedures.
• 😀 Antisepsis refers to the use of agents that inhibit microorganism growth, while asepsis focuses on preventing contamination by ensuring only sterile objects and fluids contact the surgical site.
• 😀 Sterilization involves the complete destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including spores, and is essential for ensuring safety in medical practices.
• 😀 Different sterilization methods include heat (dry and moist), ethylene oxide, irradiation, and chemical disinfectants, each having distinct applications and mechanisms of action.
• 😀 Instruments are classified into three categories based on the risk of infection transmission: critical, semi-critical, and non-critical. The Spalding classification system helps determine the necessary level of sterilization for each category.
• 😀 The sterilization process involves three stages: pre-sterilization cleaning, sterilization, and aseptic storage, with each stage requiring careful attention to detail and protocols.
• 😀 Surgical hand antisepsis, which includes proper scrubbing, gowning, and gloving, is essential to reduce the risk of surgical site infections and ensure a sterile environment during surgery.
• 😀 Surgical hand washing should follow specific steps, including scrubbing the hands and nails thoroughly, using appropriate antiseptic solutions, and maintaining a sterile technique during gowning and gloving to prepare for surgery.

Q & A

What is the main focus of general surgery?

General surgery focuses on the treatment of injuries, diseases, and disorders through manual and instrumental means. It encompasses a wide range of surgeries, including gastrointestinal, breast, kidney, liver transplantations, trauma to the abdomen and thorax, and peripheral vascular diseases.

What are the key principles of antisepsis and a sepsis in surgery?

The principles of antisepsis and sepsis in surgery are essential for preventing infections. Antisepsis involves using agents to inhibit microorganism growth, while sepsis refers to methods that prevent contamination during surgical procedures by ensuring only sterile objects and fluids come in contact with wounds.

What are the different types of cleaning methods for surgical instruments?

There are three main cleaning methods for surgical instruments: manual cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, and mechanical washing. Manual cleaning is cost-effective but time-consuming, ultrasonic cleaning uses sound waves to clean delicate instruments, and mechanical washing utilizes high-pressure jets of water to clean instruments without detergents.

What are the three categories of surgical instruments based on infection transmission risk?

Surgical instruments are categorized into critical, semi-critical, and non-critical. Critical instruments, like implants and scalpels, have a high risk and require sterilization. Semi-critical instruments, like flexible endoscopes, require high-level disinfection. Non-critical instruments, like thermometers, need only low-level disinfection.

What factors influence the effectiveness of heat sterilization?

The effectiveness of heat sterilization is influenced by factors such as the nature of heat (dry or moist), temperature, time, the number of organisms present, the organism's resistance (such as spores), and the material of the object being sterilized.

What is the process of sterilization using ethylene oxide?

Ethylene oxide sterilization is used primarily for medical products that cannot withstand steam or radiation. It works by destroying microorganisms through alkylation, which causes denaturation of nucleic acids in microorganisms. It is commonly used for sterilizing plastic, rubber items, and disposable products.

What is the purpose of the surgical hand antisepsis process?

The purpose of surgical hand antisepsis is to remove or destroy transient microorganisms and inhibit the growth of resident microorganisms. This process ensures that hands are thoroughly cleaned before engaging in a sterile surgical procedure.

What are the steps involved in preparing for surgical scrubbing?

Preparing for surgical scrubbing involves selecting appropriate attire, removing jewelry and nail varnish, ensuring hands and nails are clean, using an aqueous scrub for a minimum of two minutes, and carefully scrubbing hands, nails, and arms up to the elbows. Afterward, hands are dried using a sterile towel before gowning up.

Why is it important to avoid touching non-sterile surfaces during the surgical gowning process?

It is crucial to avoid touching non-sterile surfaces during gowning because doing so could compromise the sterility of the surgical field. Maintaining a sterile field is vital to preventing infections during surgery.

What are the main stages involved in achieving sterilization of surgical instruments?

The main stages of sterilization include pre-sterilization cleaning to remove organic matter, the actual sterilization process using methods like heat or chemicals, and finally, aseptic storage to maintain sterility during transportation and storage until use.