Question

write a paragraph about this topics

2. asepsis a. equipment disinfection b. equipment sterilization c. medical aseptic technique d. sterile technique

Answer 1

Asepsis basically means keeping something free of infectious agents or harmful microorganisms. Asepsis is basically of two types; Medical asepsis and Surgical asepsis. In surgical asepsis (also called sterile technique) the objects/instruments or areas are completely freed from all kinds of microorganisms including their spores. So, In surgical asepsis, all the microorganisms i.e. both pathogenic organisms, as well as the non-pathogenic organisms, are eliminated.  However, in medical asepsis, only those organisms that are pathogenic are eliminated. Surgical asepsis is mainly practiced in operation theaters and medical asepsis is routinely followed in day-to-day life; washing hands with a disinfectant, etc.

Equipment disinfection: Disinfection is the process of removing or destroying microorganisms from the surface of an object or from liquids. This process of disinfection, however, will not eliminate the spores of the microorganisms. This disinfection can be achieved with the help of chemicals like ethanol, phenols, etc. or with the help of physical agents like heat and radiation (Particularly UV). Disinfection is the preferred method for treating semicritical equipment like thermometers, endoscopes, speculae, respiratory therapy equipment, etc. because these instruments only come in contact with the mucous membranes of the body without penetrating into the tissues. For all the equipment that penetrates the tissues, like the instruments needed for surgery, etc. disinfection won't be sufficient to ensure patient safety. They need to be sterilized.

Equipment sterilization: Sterilization is basically destruction of all microorganisms including their spores. All the critical equipment like the surgical instruments, catheters, needles that can enter the skin and reach the vascular system of our body needs to be sterilized to prevent post-surgical infection. The most common method that is routinely employed for sterilization is autoclaving i.e. treating the equipment/instruments with steam under pressure. Some other methods of sterilization include treatment with ethylene oxide gas and the hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization method.

Medical aseptic technique: In the medical aseptic technique only those microorganisms that are pathogenic are destroyed. Medical aseptic technique is mainly followed in order to contain the spread of infection. For example, medical aseptic technique is used during the collection of a stool specimen. The measures taken here include keeping the specimen isolated (to prevent the spread of the infectious agents) and immediately disinfecting the objects that touch the specimen (like the bedpan etc.) help in preventing the spread of infections.

Sterile Technique: sterile technique includes all the protocols and procedures that are followed in order to get rid of all the microorganisms and their spores from the equipment i.e. the equipment is made sterile (free of microbes). The term surgical asepsis also refers to sterile technique only. The sterile technique is often followed in the operation theaters, delivery rooms, etc. and includes not just the use of sterile equipment but also using sterile gowns and sterile gloves. The sterile technique prevents the spread of microorganisms thereby preventing the spread of infections.