The term asepsis can be used in the medical field to refer to the care of patients and medical or other personnel, in order to avoid, counteract or cancel the activation of bacteria that can occur through contact between patients, visits, doctors, nurses, among others. Or, specifically in the surgical setting, it encompasses the complete sterilization of bacteria in the surgical setting; in other words, they are the procedures to be carried out in order to prevent contamination of a wound, of the instruments to be used, already used, or of the surgical staff.
What is asepsis
Table of Contents
The word asepsis comes from the French "asepsie". The term is made up of the prefix "a" that refers to a denial or absence of something, while "sepsis" means contamination or infection, therefore, asepsis is understood as the absence or lack of septic matter, that is, to the lack or absence of microbes and bacteria that can cause infection.
Asepsis is known as a medical term defined as the set of methods that must be applied to preserve the sterility of the sanitary place.
This includes the correct use of medical clothing, the presentation, the hygiene of medical instruments, equipment and materials and that, in turn, these remain sterile. A synonym asepsis is the disinfection or sterilization of something or someone, in this case, everything that has to do with the medical area.
Types of asepsis
These are the principles of asepsis, that is, the fundamental surgical and medical procedures to apply the different sterilization techniques, in addition, not only the operating rooms and isolation rooms must implement the aseptic rules, but also the laboratories, the units of intensive care, delivery rooms, etc. Well, they are possible sources of infection and contagion of different diseases, that is why they are considered as areas of asepsis.
It is important to mention that, in addition to everything explained, there are two types of asepsis applicable in a hospital entity, these are:
Medical asepsis
This aspect applies to both doctors and nurses, since they are the people who maintain direct contact with the sick. These must eliminate any pathogen or infectious entity that can generate an outbreak of bacteria in the patient, so isolation methods are applied.
Surgical asepsis
It is about the sterilization of the operating rooms to avoid infections in patients. It is applied in operating rooms to slow down or end the reproduction of microorganisms existing in the patient's body.
Antisepsis
It is nothing more than the use of chemical substances or special drugs to stop the growth and distribution of the different microorganisms that exist on the patient's skin, as well as in the tissues or mucosa of the subject. We speak of antisepsis when faced with the lack of those microorganisms that produce or cause infections in the patient's anatomy and that, in turn, generate putrefaction in a few periods of time.
Asepsis techniques
These techniques, considered as rules, are used to eliminate existing pathogens (germs) in medical or surgical areas, the main objective is to reduce the risk of infectious complications or contamination in health areas.
These techniques are made up or made up of different procedures and executions, including hand disinfection (hand asepsis) before and after carrying out any act that involves being in contact with other people. Also, any type of jewelry that may cause an obstacle in hand washing should be removed and nails should be free of enamel.
It is important to know that you should not talk, cough or sneeze in the areas where the previously sterilized objects are, in addition, to know if the objects to be used have been sterilized, to disinfect the medical or surgical place or site, avoid contact with other subjects after medical personnel and utensils have been decontaminated. All of this must be fully met, which is why it is considered an essential requirement before dealing with patients.
