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Definition
| An incident of contamination in which microorganisms carried in the air by moisture droplets or dust particles make contact with a sterile surface. |
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Definition
| Chemical agents approved for use on the skin that inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Antiseptics are used to cleanse and paint the surgical site to reduce the number of microorganisms to an absolute minimum. |
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Term
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Definition
| The absence of pathogenic microorganisms on an animate surface or on body tissue. Literally, asepsis means "without infection." In surgery, asepsis is a state of minimal or zero pathogens. Asepsis is the goal of many surgical practices. |
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Definition
| Methods or practices in health care that reduce infection. |
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Term
| CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) |
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Definition
| The U.S. government agency that researches public health issues and educates the lay public and professionals about disease transmission, origin, and prevention. |
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Definition
| The barrier formed by the action of an antiseptic; it not only reduces the number of microorganisms on a surface, but also prevents recolonization for a limited period. |
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Definition
| A technique of gloving in which the bare hand does not come in contact with the outside of the glove. The sterile glove is protected from the nonsterile hand by the cuff of a surgical gown. |
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Definition
| The consequence of physical contact between a sterile surface and a nonsterile surface in surgery. Contamination also can result from airborne dust, moisture droplets, or fluids that act as a vehicle for transporting contaminants from a nonsterile surface to a sterile one. |
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Term
| CONTAINMENT OR CONFINEMENT |
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Definition
| A foundation concept of aseptic technique which sterile and non sterile surfaces are seperated by physical barriers or distance (space). |
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Definition
| Wearing two pairs of gloves, one over the other to reduce the risk of contamination as a result of glove failure or puncture. |
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Definition
| Contamination of a large area of tissue by a highly infective source. |
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Definition
| A technique of removing transient flora from the hands using alcohol-based hand rub or surgical hand scrub. |
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Term
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Definition
| A specific technique used to remove debris and dead cells from the hands. Hand washing with an antiseptic also reduces the number of microorganisms on the skin. |
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Term
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Definition
| Sensitivity to latex, which can cause itching, rhinitis, conjuctivitis, and anaphylactic shock leading to death. Personnel and patients with latex allergy must not come in contact with any articles that contain laytex. |
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Term
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Definition
| In surgery, team members who remain outside the boundary of the sterile field and do not come in direct contact with sterile equipment, sterile areas, or the surgical wound. The circulator, anesthesia care provider, and radiographic technician are examples of nonsterile team members. |
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Term
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Definition
| A gloving technique in which the bare skin does not touch any part of the outside of the glove. Open gloving generally is used when a health care worker does not wear a sterile gown. |
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Term
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Definition
| Having the potential to cause disease. |
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Term
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Definition
| In surgery, a barrier that seperates a sterile surface from a nonsterile surface. Examples are sterile surgical gloves, gowns, and drapes. A physcial barrier, such as a clean surgical cap, also can prevent a bacteria-laden surface, such as the hair, from shedding microorganisms. |
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Term
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Definition
| Microorganisms that are normally present in specific tissues. Resident flora are necessary to the regular function of these tissues or structures. Also called noraml flora. |
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Term
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Definition
| The scrubbed surgical technologist or nurse assisting in surgery. Also refers to the surgical hand scrub performed before surgery and if the hands are contaminated with body fluids. |
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Term
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Definition
| In surgery, members of the surgical team who work within the sterile field. Also called sterile personnel. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any objects that can penetrate the skin and have the potential to cause injury and infection, including but not limited to needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires. |
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Term
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Definition
| Protocols and guidelines established by the CDC to prevent the transmission of microorganisms in the health care environment. All aseptic technique practices are based on Standard Precautions. |
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Term
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Definition
| An area that includes the draped patient, all sterile tables, and sterile equipment in the immediate area of the patient. The patient is considered the center of the sterile field. |
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Definition
| Any item that has been subjected to a process that renders it free of all microbial life, including spores. |
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Term
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Definition
| A state in which an inanimare or animate substance harbors absolutely no viable microorganisms. |
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Term
| STRIKE-THROUGH CONTAMINATION |
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Definition
| An event in which fluid from a nonsterile surface or air pentrates the protective wrapper of a sterile item, potentially contaminating the item. |
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Term
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Definition
| A surface agent such as soap that lowers the surface tension, allowing greater permeability. |
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Term
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Definition
| In surgery, the ethical motivation to practice excellant aseptic technique to protect the patient from infection. Surgical conscience implies that the professional practices excellant technique reguardless of whether others are observing. |
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Term
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Definition
| The systematic application of antiseptic foam or cream on the hands before gowning and gloving for a sterile procedure. The surgical hand rub may be used as an alternative to the traditional hand scrub under certain conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| A specific technique for washing the hands before donning a surgical gown and gloves before surgery. The scrub is performed with timed or counted strokes using detergent-based antiseptic. The surgical hand scrub is designed to remove dirt, oils, and transient microorganisms and reduce the number of resident microorganisms. |
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Term
| SURGICAL SITE INFECTION (SSI) |
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Definition
| Postoperative infection of the surgical wound, most commonly caused by the noraml bacreria found on the patient's skin or shed from the skin or hair of the surgical team members. The goal of surgical skin preparation is to prevent postoperative wound infection. |
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Term
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Definition
| Agents applied to skin or mucous membranes that temporarily reduce or prevent the growth of microorganisms. |
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Term
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Definition
| Microorganisms that do not normally reside in the tissue of an individual. Transient microorganims are accquired through skin contact with an animate or inanimatge source colonized by microbes. Transient flora may be removed by routine methods of skin cleaning. |
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