Aseptic Techniques

Wound management is one of the cornerstones for nursing care however, effective wound care extends far beyond the application of the wound itself. Nurses may be required to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate wound care; therefore, order to fill these roles it’s critical to have an understanding of the several different areas of wound care such as, integumentary system, classification of wounds, wound procedures, and documentation. Knowledge in each of these areas will allow nurses to make well informed decisions about wound care, and as a result play an active part in wound healing.

Dirty equipment – having dirty equipment which is not cleaned between patients can spread infection very fast lots of bacteria can be spread on a blood pressure cuff for example.

Disinfection is used when a piece of equipment may have been contamination with a pathogenic micro-organism from mucous membranes or bodily fluids. Disinfection reduces the amount of micro-organisms but it will not destroy all bacteria or viruses. There are two methods of disinfection Heat and chemical disinfectants. Auto-claves are used in the hospital for items e.g. bed pans, endoscopes and devices used on a

Has anyone ever considered how medical devices are prepared before a surgical procedure? Central Sterile Processing Department (CSPD) consists of services within the Hospital, in which reusable medical devices will be cleaned, prepared, and processed. The role for CSPD is to prevent infection transmitted by usage of medical devices. The procedure for hospital medical devices before surgery has a four part workflow process in: Decontamination, to Instrumentation, to Sterilization and Sterile Storage (Case Carts). An example is given for reprocessing an Intestinal Set and the supplies needed for the preparation of this medical device set.

In this reflection I am going to discuss a procedure that I have carried out whilst I have been on placement and the importance of infection control using the Aspetic Non Touch Technique (ANTT). The procedure I am going to discuss is a dressing change to a leg ulcer which took place during a routine home visit with the community nurse. I am going to use Gibbs Model of Reflection (1988), to reflect on the experience and evaluate my thoughts and feelings of the procedure, and to outline what I have gained from the experience for my future practice.

I get to see various types of wound, from pressure ulcer of different stages, unbelievable edemas, arterial and venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and many other wounds of uncertain causes. I have never expected to see those kinds of wounds. I have seen different drainage amount, color, and odor, various shapes and location of the wounds, and amputated edematous legs. I have learned also the different types of dressings and antibacterial ointments used. I had given the chance to observe a client on their high-tech hyperbaric oxygen therapy which makes the wound healing even faster. The most important lesson I have learned from the team members was, “DO NOT GET

The process of wound assessment requires accurate and appropriate interventions while dealing with the patients. There are some major components which the operator must consider to effectively access an infection, and they require a range of skills and knowledge. These factors are the knowledge of relevant anatomy and physiology, the understanding of the various factors that accelerate wound growth, and the ability to listen and understand the patient’s needs. In wound accessing, the doctor should have an idea concerning the number and location of wounds, the required treatments depending on the type of infection, the type of wound in accordance to various grading given, and the procedures to follow to achieve the treatment

Thus devices need special handling to minimize the spread of infection. Examples include catheters, colostomy bag, and

In contemporary times, lots of registered nurses practice wound dressing based upon expertise of sequential step-by-step actions as opposed to comprehending the concepts underpinning the most efficient strategies to wound dressing. Presently 2 leading dressing techniques, aseptic (clean hand/dirty hand) method and wound industry, are being instructed to undergraduate nursing pupils. Jointly and relatively, both methods have actually stimulated some debate relating to the most suitable and efficient method to use (Gillespie and Fenwick, 2009).

Well you probably will most likely clean your cuts and scrapes with cool water. Then, you will use a soft washcloth to clean the surrounding skin around the wounds. Lastly, you will put a bandage or two on the wounds to prevent an infection.

Hart (2004) states the principle of Aseptic Technique is to prevent the spread of micro organisms to wounds and to protects the nurse and patient from healthcare-associated infections (HCIA). The technique used for less invasive procedures such as intravenous drugs and wound care is the Aseptic No-touch Technique (ANTT) (Pratt et al 2007).

4 Remove the dressing and dispose of it safely. Do not touch the VAD tubing or the skin near it after you have removed the dressing.

12. When treating a serious wound, remove any clothing and wash the area around the burn.

Using of normal saline is of limited effect in cleaning of dirty and necrotic wounds.

* Hand washing is the most important method of preventing the spread of infection by contact (Ayliffe et al 1999). The Nottingham University Trust Policy on Hand Hygiene (2009) states that there are three types of hand hygiene, the first is ‘routine hand hygiene’ which involves the use of soap and water for 15 – 20 seconds or the application of alcohol hand rub until the hand are dry. The second is ‘hand disinfection’ which should be used prior to an aseptic procedure by washing with soap and water and applying alcohol hand rub afterwards. The third is ‘surgical hand washing’ which is the application of a microbial agent to the hands and wrists for two minutes. In addition to which a sterile, disposable brush may be used for the first surgical hand wash of the day although continued use will encourage colonisation of microbes. The third example is the most appropriate to any O.D.P undertaking the surgical role as it is the best way for the surgical team to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora (World Health Organization 2010). The first and second are important to any O.D.P undertaking any other role within the Operating Department as this is the best way to reduce the transient microbial flora without necessarily affecting the resident skin flora