Surgical Asepsis
Surgical Asepsis

Surgical asepsis are those practices that
make and keep objects and areas absent
of all micro-organisms, including
pathogens and spores. The patient is
protected from the environment.
Principle of Surgical Asepsis

A sterile object remains sterile only when
touched by another sterile object
Sterile + Sterile= Sterile
 Sterile + Clean= Contaminated
 Sterile + Contaminated= Contaminated
 Sterile + Questionable= Contaminated

Principle of Surgical Asepsis
Only sterile objects may be placed on a
sterile field
 A sterile object or field out of the range of
vision or an object held below a person’s
waist is contaminated.

Never turn your back on a sterile tray or
leave it unattended.
 If necessary to leave the room cover the
sterile field with a sterile towel.

Principle of Surgical Asepsis

A sterile object or field becomes
contaminated by prolonged exposure to
air.

Never reach across a sterile field, avoid
talking, laughing, sneezing over the field,
avoid shaking linen, etc.
Principle of Surgical Asepsis


A sterile object or field becomes contaminated
by capillary action when a sterile surface comes
in contact with a wet contaminated surface.
Avoid spills on the field
Fluids flow in the direction of gravity- Keep
transfer forceps tip down if they are stored in a
disinfectant solution. This principle applies to
the surgical scrub also.
Principle of Surgical Asepsis

The edges of a sterile field or container
are considered to be contaminated.
One inch border around the drape and the
part of the drape that hangs over the table
edge is considered contaminated.
 Pour off the lip of a bottle of solution

Performing Sterile Procedures

Opening Sterile Packages:




Sterile supplies are never kept in the same room as
dirty equipment
Sterile items have dated labels or chemical tapes to
ensure sterility- always check expiration dates
Different types of wrappers are used: muslin, paper,
plastic
Check for integrity of packaging (check for tears and
wetness of wrapper)
Performing Sterile Procedures

Adding sterile supplies to a sterile field



Pouring sterile solutions




Sterile added to sterile only
Follow principles of surgical asepsis when adding
supplies
Palm the label and place cap on it’s top
Pour off 2ml into plastic lined trash can
Keep edge of bottle away from sterile objects
Practice open sterile gloving