Question

Critical Thinking

Surgical asepsis refers to the practices that keep objects and areas sterile (free from all living microorganisms). As such, surgical asepsis is crucial to minor office surgeries, as pathogenic microorganisms could enter the patient’s body and cause disease. Maintaining surgical asepsis is an essential responsibility of the MA. When does surgical asepsis come into play in a medical office? What are some specific circumstances when it is employed? What should be done if surgical asepsis is broken?

Answer 1

Aseptic technique is a best practice that should practice every health care provider. The surgical asepsis is a mandatory one, which helps in preventing any infection to the by the pathogenic organism and their spores during any invasive procedure. Aseptic techniques are not only used to protect the patient but also the health care providers, by preventing pathogenic organisms and their spores entering from the open wound to the health care provider.

Aseptic techniques range from simple forms such as rubbing or using alcohol to sterilize the skin to usage of surgical gloves, surgical masks , protective eye wear, sterile gowns, sterilized instruments.

In a medical office, most of the patients are with infections or carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. In medical offices most of the people are with weakened immune system. The health care providers checking all the patients move from patients to patients and provides a way to spread pathogens. So to prevent this proper aseptic procedures and equipments are mandatory.

Basic technique for infection control is thorough hand washing. Strict aseptic procedures reduces the chance of spreading infections.

In a medical office surgical asepsis is done for procedures like,

1.for dressing surgical wounds or burns

2. C- section or delivering babies

3. Wound suturing or surgical suturing

4. Inserting a urinary catheter, drainage from wound, intravenous line or inserting a chest tube

5. Injections

6. Instrumental vaginal examination

7. Biopsy procedures

8.for surgical procedures

9. Tracheosyomy

If surgical asepsis is broken , immediately done the cleaning and sterilization of the surgical area. Give peophylactic antibiotics to the patient after surgery. Delay primary closure if heavily contaminated wound . Do blood glucose monitoring and control. Apply sterile dressing and check frequently for any signs of infection.