Sterile technique is an essential skill that all health care providers should know. Whether you are a medical student, nurse, physician assistant, or other healthcare provider, properly performing sterile method is indispensable for any clinician. In fact, it is an essential element in performing surgery and one of the most complicated since it involves many steps and safety precautions. This blog post will discuss what sterile technique is, why it’s so important, and perform the best sterile techniques possible.
What is Sterile Method
Professionals should do strict sterile technique when making clean equipment to prevent the introduction of organisms into the sterile site. Strict sterile technique is necessary for all invasive procedures, including venipuncture, insertion of intravenous lines, and insertion of drains or catheters.
The most basic sterile method involves washing hands with an antimicrobial soap before sterile procedures. Healthcare professionals should wash their hands in between each sterile procedure and after contact with nonsterile patients or equipment.
The Difference of Aseptic Technique and Sterile Method
Medical science laboratories found a way to kill and destroy viruses, germs, and bacteria. The two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but there is a significant difference between them. The following are industry-accepted definitions for each: Aseptic Techniques A surface, object, product, or environment has been cleaned to ensure free of germs. Germs and other harmful living things cannot survive or reproduce. Although aseptic processing does not produce a sterile environment, it maintains sterility. Sterile Dressing Techniques This is a technique to keep a product completely free from germs or viruses. While the term “sterile” implies an absence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi as well as spores, it does not mean which species are being killed. A process for sterilization attempts to eliminate all living microorganisms from an environment.
How Does Each Process Differ?
Sterilization is a drastic technique that can be carried out in various ways. For example, it’s commonly used in healthcare to clean surgical instruments. A common disinfectant is isopropyl alcohol. Peracetic acid droplet foggers or hydrogen peroxide may commonly use for sterilizing large areas. Professionals usually use autoclaves or gamma radiation to sterilize their devices. Asepsis is essential for cleaning areas where individuals work because people are effective carriers of microbes. In fact, proper aseptic technique procedures help prevent and control healthcare-associated infections. However, it does not guarantee complete sterility. But it does help to create a sterile environment by following established cleanroom procedures, training, and using gowns and other protective apparel. Related words can help you distinguish various types of disinfectants. Whether a liquid or vapour, a sterilant destroys all microorganisms it comes into contact with. An antiseptic inhibits or destroys the activity of bacteria on live tissue, whereas a disinfectant kills spores but not microbes. In short, the sterile method is the process of removing harmful microorganisms. While the aseptic technique is the primary goal of any ISO-certified cleanroom facility is to maintain a high level of safety.
Under Which Context Would Each Condition Be Necessary?
Cleanroom operating procedures are used in conjunction with aseptic. It also refers to the standards of personal protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, hoods, aprons, goggles, and lab coats. The basic operating procedures of a cleanroom define the facility’s aseptic method. These usually incorporate guidelines such as:
When should you replace your protective clothing
In what sequence should you put on and take off items like this
After putting on protective equipment, testers and equipment are used on cleanroom staff.
Hand washing
Removal of jewellery and watches
Visual inspection of work areas
Frequency of sanitization
Use of solutions with at least 70% alcohol
Aseptic conditions are also maintained in places where complete sterilization is improbable, such as a hospital or doctor’s waiting room.
Why Sterilization is Important
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends sterile techniques to prevent the spread of infection. This is a critical part of medical care and must be followed correctly to ensure patient safety. In fact, strict sterile process is necessary for all invasive procedures. Hygiene should always be the first priority when caring for a patient. A sterile field is free from all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. One of the most important ways to prevent infection is to maintain a sterile field at all times. There are many ways to create and maintain a sterile field. The best way to do this is by using unyielding process standards. The sterile process standards include a checklist when setting up sterile equipment and preparing the patient for surgery. To sum up, here are the main importance of sterilization techniques:
It prevents the spread of harmful bacteria and germs necessary to avoid surgical site infections (SSI). In fact, this procedure allows the surgeon to perform the surgery as sterilely as possible.
Without sterilization, there could be harmful bacteria and germs, resulting in a patient’s death. If one were to look under a microscope at an improperly sterile surgery, one would find an abundance of bacteria, which is why the technique is so important.
Without sterile technique, a patient runs the risk of catching an infection or disease, resulting in death. A sterile surgeon must prevent contamination, so the surgeon must be sterile to perform the technique.
The sterile method is essential for any laboratory or medical test performance. Although many professionals do not consider it difficult, there are still individuals who have difficulty grasping the concept and performing sterile techniques.
Critical Steps of Sterile Process
Here are the following steps to do the sterile practice properly:
First – Always assume that you are operating in a contaminated environment.
Healthcare professionals must always assume that you are operating in a contaminated environment. This means that you should take precautions to avoid contamination at all times. One of the most important ways to do this is by wearing sterile gloves when handling sterile supplies.
Second – Clean hands properly
Clean hands with alcohol or soap and water before you come in contact with sterile supplies or sterile gloves. This helps prevent the transfer of contaminants from your non-sterile hand to sterile instruments and equipment during sterile procedures.
Third – Wear sterile protective gear
Wear sterile gloves when handling sterile supplies to avoid contaminating them with non-sterile skin, leading to infection.
Fourth – Use sterile saline
Clean the operation site with sterile saline before you begin surgery or where you will insert an intraductal catheter. This helps reduce the risk of infection in the area.
Fifth – Ensure that the patient is sterile before proceeding to any treatment.
Ensure that your patient is sterile before you begin the surgery or procedure. One way to do this is by checking the patient’s lab test results. Correct sterilization is crucial to reduce the risk of infection during medical procedures and surgeries, like amniocentesis or exploratory surgery. To ensure you perform the sterile process correctly, follow these key steps. If you do sterile technique correctly, it could decrease infections and better outcomes for our patients.
Popular Machines Used By Healthcare Professionals for Sterilization Technique
There are many machines for sterile techniques. The most popular machines are the autoclave, hydrogen peroxide vapour cabinet, ethylene oxide sterilizer, and ozone generator. Each device has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Autoclave
The autoclave is one of the most common machines for sterile techniques. It is a pressurized chamber that uses steam to sterile objects. Also, the autoclave is a fast and efficient machine and can kill most types of bacteria. However, the autoclave can be expensive to operate and takes up a lot of space.
Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Cabinet
The hydrogen peroxide vapour cabinet is a newer machine becoming more popular. It uses hydrogen peroxide to sterilize objects. Also, the cabinet is small and affordable and can kill most bacteria types. However, the hydrogen peroxide vapour cabinet can be slow to sterilize objects and produce hazardous fumes.
Ozone Generator
The ozone generator is a newer machine that is becoming more popular. It uses ozone gas to sterilize objects. The ozone generator is a fast machine and can kill most types of bacteria. However, the ozone generator can be expensive and produces hazardous fumes. Each machine has its own benefits and drawbacks. It is essential to choose the device that best suits your needs.
Getting A High-Quality Sterilization Method
Sterile technique is a vital component of the process for surgical procedures. This includes personal and environmental aspects, such as performing surgery in sterile environments with properly sterilized instruments to maintain sterility throughout the course. It also means understanding how contamination can occur during these surgeries through improper handling or poor hygiene practices on behalf of physicians or nurses assisting with the operation. Maintaining this level of cleanliness ensures that patients will not expose to infectious diseases from blood-borne pathogens while undergoing surgery. The importance of maintaining a high degree of sterility cannot be overstated when protecting patient safety and health. Suppose you want to ensure you maintain a high level of cleanliness in your facility. Then, it would be best to properly follow the main principles of sterile technique and use proper equipment to keep your supplies safe and clean. Melag Autoclave can help you get a high-quality device to keep your working area safe for your staff and patients. If you want to know more about the products we offer, call us at (02) 8880 7813 today!
