Discuss the major differences between surgical and medical asepsis and how they differ in the nursing care of a patient. Provide the rationale for each example, as well as an example of when each would be used. Remember that your posts must exhibit appropriate writing mechanics, including formal language, grammar, and punctuation. Use APA references and citations within your post.
Surgical and medical asepsis are essential concepts in the field of nursing that aim to prevent the spread of infections and maintain patient safety. While both concepts have a common goal of promoting a sterile environment, they differ in their scope and application. This response will discuss the major differences between surgical and medical asepsis, as well as their implications in nursing care.
Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, involves practices that eliminate all microorganisms and their spores from a specific area, preventing contamination during surgical and invasive procedures (CDC, 2019). It requires strict adherence to sterile procedures, such as hand hygiene, wearing sterile gloves and gowns, and using sterile instruments and supplies. The primary aim of surgical asepsis is to ensure the absence of microorganisms in an operative field to minimize the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) (Association of Surgical Technologists, 2021).
In contrast, medical asepsis, also referred to as clean technique, focuses on reducing the number of microorganisms and preventing their transmission within a healthcare setting. Medical asepsis targets the prevention of the spread of infectious agents through practices like regular hand hygiene, disinfection of surfaces, proper waste management, and use of personal protective equipment (CDC, 2019). While medical asepsis does not achieve complete sterility, it aims to control and limit the growth and transmission of microorganisms to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) (CDC, 2019).
The scope and application of surgical and medical asepsis differ significantly in the nursing care of a patient. Surgical asepsis is primarily applied during invasive procedures, such as surgery, central line insertion, urinary catheterization, or wound care (CDC, 2019). These procedures involve direct entry into body cavities or tissues, and any introduction of microorganisms can greatly increase the risk of infection. For example, during surgery, the sterile field is maintained by using sterile gloves, gowns, masks, and drapes to protect the patient from potential contamination (Association of Surgical Technologists, 2021). Adhering to surgical aseptic techniques significantly reduces the risk of SSIs, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and patient morbidity and mortality (Smyth et al., 2021).
On the other hand, medical asepsis is applied to all nursing care activities to reduce the transfer of microorganisms from one patient to another or to healthcare providers. It is particularly crucial in settings where patients might have compromised immune systems, such as intensive care units or oncology wards. Practices within medical asepsis, such as hand hygiene, serve as the foundation for preventing HAIs (Pittet et al., 2005). Regular hand hygiene, including handwashing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is the simplest and most effective method to break the chain of infection transmission (World Health Organization, 2009). By practicing medical asepsis, nurses contribute to reducing HAIs, enhancing patient outcomes, and promoting overall healthcare quality.
In conclusion, surgical and medical asepsis are vital concepts in nursing care that aim to prevent the spread of infections and promote patient safety. Surgical asepsis primarily focuses on achieving sterility in the operative field during invasive procedures, while medical asepsis aims to control and limit the growth and transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings. Understanding the major differences between these two concepts is crucial for nurses to appropriately apply aseptic techniques in various situations and maintain a high standard of patient care. By adhering to surgical and medical aseptic principles, nurses contribute to reducing the risk of SSIs and HAIs, ultimately improving patient outcomes and promoting patient safety.
References:
Association of Surgical Technologists. (2021). Standards of practice for surgical technologists. Retrieved from https://www.ast.org/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Content/About_Us/Standard%20of%20Practice%20and%20Ethics%20of%20Surgical%20Technology%202021.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Guidelines for infection control in health care personnel. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html
Pittet, D., Hugonnet, S., Harbarth, S., Mourouga, P., Sauvan, V., Touveneau, S., & Pittet, D. (2005). Effectiveness of a hospital-wide programme to improve compliance with hand hygiene. The Lancet, 366(9493), 1307-1312.
Smyth, E., McIlvenny, G., Enstone, J., Emmerson, A., Humphreys, H., Fitzpatrick, F., & Mazuet, C. (2021). Four country healthcare-associated infection prevalence survey (HCAIpS) protocol: point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in acute hospitals in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. BMJ Open, 11(7), e049067.
World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Guidelines on hand hygiene in health care: First global patient safety challenge. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/