Unit Two – Clean, Aseptic, and Sterile Technique

Learning Outcomes

Identify and apply the clean, aseptic, and sterile technique required for common OMS procedures

Goal

Prevent (nosocomial) healthcare associated infections

 

Procedure specific use of a clean, aseptic, or sterile technique reduces or eliminates microbes transferred to patients during OMS procedures

• A clean technique is NOT used in a surgical, invasive procedure

ALL SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN OMS ARE INVASIVE PROCEDURES: invasive oral surgery procedures are classified as a clean-contaminated. See table below.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132296/

• Oral surgery is a local risk factor for osteomyelitis
• Osteomyelitis is the inflammation and destruction of bone caused by the introduction of pathogens into the surgical site

Definition: Invasive Procedures

• Acts done to patients that come in contact with wounds, the blood stream, the inside of the body, or normally sterile parts of the body
• Invasive procedures invade the inside of the body
• Aseptic or Sterile techniques are used in invasive procedures
Aseptic Versus Sterile Technique:

The differences are subtle!

• Aseptic technique minimizes contamination by pathogens (bacteria, virus, or microorganism that can cause disease)

• Sterile technique refers to the absence of all pathogens

 

 Remember: DO TOUCH ANYTHING EXCEPT STERILE EQUIPMENT OR ITEMS THAT HAVE A BARRIER ONCE YOU’VE DONNED YOUR GLOVES!

 

Examples:

Pathogen Survival on Hard Surface
Herpes (simplex or zoster) 1 hour (3 days on hand towel)
Hepatitis B/C/D B: 1 week or more
HIV/AIDS 5-6 days
Cold & Flu Viruses 24 hours
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) days-weeks

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3375115/

Remember that asepsis is the reduction of pathogens: be aware of all surfaces that can be contaminated.

If you are organized, you can reduce the number of gloves needed to maintain the chain of asepsis.

It’s easy to get a false sense of asepsis just because you’re wearing gloves.

License

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Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - A Handbook for Certified Dental Assistants by Kathryn Truant is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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