Important Surgical Terminology For Veterinary Assistants

Sepsis

Life threatening infection

Asepsis

The complete absence of living pathogenic microbes

A condition of being free from infection

Sterile

Free from all pathogenic microorganisms

Autoclave

A sterilization unit that creates high-temperature pressurized steam

Disinfection

Destruction of most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects

Aseptic Technique

A set of practices to prevent contamination and ultimately infection in a sterile environment

The intention is to minimize contamination so that postoperative healing is not delayed

Aseptic Technique protects the patient from four main sources of potential contamination

Operative personnel

Surgical instruments and equipment

The patient themself

The surgical environment

Contamination

The unintended presence of microorganisms within or onto the surfaces, instruments, or wounds

Contamination can but does not always lead to

infection

Antisepsis

Destruction of most pathogenic microorganisms on living objects

Bactericidal

Kills bacteria

Bacteriostatic

inhibits growth of bacteria

Fungicidal

Kills fungi

Sporicidal

Kills spores

Virucidal

Kills viruses

Microbicidal

Kills microbes

Skin cannot be

Sterilized

Different physical and chemical methods destroy or inhibit microorganisms

Damaging microbial cell walls or membranes

Interfering with microbial cell enzyme activity or metabolism

Destroying microbial cell contents by oxidation, hydrolysis, reduction, coagulation, protein denaturation or formation of a salt

Microbe/Microorganism

Tiny, usually microscopic, entity capable of carrying on living processes

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi

Can be pathogenic or non-pathogenic

Can become opportunists

Sterilization

Is the procedure which results in complete absence of microbe

Most common methods are through steam and gas

Iatrogenic

Illness, injury, or adverse effect caused by treatment or diagnostic procedures

Surgical Conscience

Putting the patients well being above anyone or anything else