Aseptic Techniques include precautionary measures that a hospital is required to take to create and maintain an environment that is infection-free. There are two ways that this sterile environment can be developed- through autoclaving (physical process) and gas or heat sterilization (chemical process).
HIPAA has introduced aseptic techniques training as part of its training program for all employees who deal with potentially infected body fluids and are at a risk for exposure. The training will include training the employees about the two processes to achieve a pathogen-free environment. The physical process involves autoclaving, while the chemical process is related to gas sterilization.
The employees are encouraged to strictly follow specific practices and procedures to reach to maintain sterility and keep contamination by pathogens to a minimum. This is what aseptic techniques is all about. It guarantees that no infectious microorganisms are able to the environment. And it is a common fact that microorganisms are a part of the environment we live in; in the air, on the ground, etc.
If you are infected by these pathogens, it can lead to serious diseases. People, whose health is compromised as in post-surgery or wounded patients, are more likely to be infected easily. Hence, it is especially important to maintain a sterile, pathogen-free environment in hospitals, so that patients are not exposed to these infectious agents. This is achieved mainly in three ways:
• Sterilizing the equipment
Once the employees are trained, the aseptic techniques have to be strictly followed in hospitals to prevent patients from being exposed to infections. The first step is to sterilize all the equipment. One of the most widespread hospital acquired infection occurs in surgical patients at the surgery site. Therefore, all the equipment and anything that the patient is likely to come in contact with, is sterilized. If an instrument or other item falls on the ground, it must be used only after being sterilized again.
• Sterilizing the environment
Burn patients, immune disorder patients and many others are at a high risk of contracting infections. For this, the environment has to be completely sterilized and regularly cleaned. The operation theatres, wards, and laboratories are some of the areas where the walls, floors, work tables, and other items must be thoroughly sterilized. This procedure is very important in preventing infection from spreading from one patient to another. It therefore leads to a considerable decrease in morbidity and mortality caused by spread of infections.
• Sterilizing the clothing
All the clothing like gowns, caps, head gear, mask, and the like, worn by the surgical team must be sterilized before use. The sleeve cuffs of surgical gowns accommodate a lot of moisture from the air, which causes microorganisms to collect there. For this reason, sterile surgical gloves are used to completely cover the cuffs. In addition, the entire team must undergo a surgical scrub process which involves washing hands and forearms with good, antiseptic soap. The operation room is sterilized completely along with all the equipment using the chemical process of sterilization.