Surgical Asepsis Terminology

Module 10

antimicrobial

able to destroy or suppress the growth of pathogens and other microorganisms

antiseptic

a substance that reduces the # of pathogens present on a surface

Asepsis

methods used to assure that an environment is as pathogen-free as possible

bacteriostasis

the inhibition of further bacterial growth

chlorhexidine

an antibacterial compound w. a substantial residual activity that is used as a liquid antiseptic and disinfectant

disinfectant

any chemical agent used to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organisms

intraoperative

occurring during the course of a surgical procedure

medical asepsis

infection control practices common in healthcare, such as basic hand-washing

nosocomial

acquired in a hospital (aka healthcare-associated infection [HAI])

peri-operative

pertaining to the period extending from the time of hospitalization for surgery to the time of discharge (includes pre-op, intra-op, and post-operative periods)

preoperative

period before a surgical operation (from decision to have a surgery to when they’re transferred to operative table)

sepsis

pathogens (or their toxins) in blood or other tissues

spore

primitive, usually unicellular, reproductive body produced by plants, fungi, and some microorganisms that is resistant to environmental changes

staphylococcus

gram (+) bacteria, potential pathogen 00 causes lesions and serious opportunistic infections

sterile

free from livining organisms and especially from micr-organisms and pathiogens

sterile field

a specified area that is considered free from microorganisms

sterile technique

measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens from the environment to the pt by eliminating all micro-organisms in that environment

sterilization

process that destroys all microorganisms (including spores and viruses)

subungual

under a nail

surgical asepsis

techniques used to destroy all pathogenic organisms (aka sterile technique)

surgical scrub

procedure that achieves disinfection of the hands and arms up to the elbows in prep for donning sterile attire and performing or participating in a sterile procedure