Module 1 Infection Prevention and Control Practices

What is the definition of medical asepsis and how is it different from surgical asepsis?

Medical asepsis "clean technique" is a term used to describe procedures that limit or even prevent the transmission of microorganisms that can spread disease to health professionals, patients, and the public.

• limit the spread of microorganisms to prevent disease transmission

Surgical asepsis "sterile technique" describes procedures that kill or eliminate microorganisms and we will learn more about this in the next module

• eliminate microorganisms completely.

key difference is that medical asepsis reduces, while surgical asepsis eliminates microorganisms.

Ways to reduce risk of transmitting infection

• frequent hand-washing

• using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• cleaning and sanitizing

• using proper disposal techniques

• reporting exposures

• modifying the environment via engineering controls (for example, using negative pressure rooms for isolation patients)

Nosocomial infeciton

Nosocomial infections are infections acquired in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or clinic, that were not present or incubating at the time of a patient's admission. They are also known as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and can occur due to procedures, equipment, or contact with healthcare workers.

jhlkjlkjhkl