Sterility

what’s sterile technique?

surgical asepsis where all microorganisms are destroyed

• used to keep items/fields completely sterile

what’s clean (medical) asepsis?

routine practices (e.g., handwashing) that reduce microbes

• not the same as sterile technique

when touching in sterile field, move ____ to ____

sterile to sterile

how do we open things?

away from our bodies

if something is wet when it’s not supposed to be, it is _____

contaminated

• microorganisms can catch a ride through water

why is “wet = contaminated”?

moisture wicks microbes from nonsterile to sterile surfaces (capillary action)

where should our hands ALWAYS be kept?

ABOVE waist level

it is important to _____ from a sterile field

NEVER turn your back

what to never do over sterile field

• no talking

• no reaching over

• no coughing

• no sneezing

what part of a sterile field is considered contaminated?

the outer 1-inch edge

if you think you contaminated a sterile object, what do you do?

start over, always

first thing to do before opening sterile packaging

HIPE

second thing to do before opening sterile packaging

check expiration dates

sequence to opening a sterile package/drape

1. open furthest away from you

2. side

3. side

4. open toward you

   purpose: don’t reach over the uncovered sterile field at the end

what should we avoid doing after unwrapping sterile packaging?

touching inner surface, sterile item, or field with clean hands

how do we put items into a sterile field?

drop them (keep 1 inch contaminated border in mind)

how do you pour sterile solution without contaminating?

• turn the cap away from the field (edges up)

• label of bottle facing palm

• dont touch the rim of the bottle to anything

• pour low and slow into sterile basin to prevent plashing

how do we put bottle caps down in sterile technique ?

the edges of the bottle cap should be up, like a bowl

• away from sterile field

what way should labels on sterile solutions face?

toward palm

when pouring sterile solutions, we should make sure we dont ____

touch the bottle rim to anything

• let the water pour freely

what manner do we pour sterile liquids into sterile basins?

low and slow to prevent splashing