#Definition of medical asepsis how to#
#Definition of medical asepsis free#

Because of its radical nature, sterilized conditions are often aimed at medical tools and not reproduced on a bigger scale. Sterilizing can be done in many different ways that are more accessible since it has no need to preserve any living organisms, and is more 'brutal'.

#Definition of medical asepsis how to#

It requires knowing which viruses or bacteria are harmful to the product at hand, and how to remove them while keeping helpful microorganisms intact. The technique to reach aseptic conditions is more specific, rigorous, detailed and thus complex. Related: Why do HEPA Filters have 0.3 Micron Pore Size?

#Definition of medical asepsis free#

This technique is used to reach an environment free of all living microorganisms, for example with the tools used for a surgical operation that cannot afford to have any kind of bacteria reaching an open wound and being a safety and health hazard. In the sterilized technique, every bacteria, harmful or helpful, is meant to be destroyed. The aseptic processing technique will maintain a product safe, for example in food processing with a cold chain. What it is in more practical terms is that someone will want aseptic conditions if they need to keep a tool, a room or any product free of contamination- not make it sterile, but just keep and uphold the product to a standard that won't duplicate bacteria or create more viruses. Basically, one is the removal of anything that could contaminate an area, whereas the other doesn't discriminate bacteria or germs and has none at all. Sterile describes a product that is entirely free of all germs. To truly get the specific characteristics of the two and how they can work together, it's essential to understand what each word means.Īseptic means something has been made contamination-free, that it will not reproduce or create any kind of harmful living microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and others).

The common point between the two terms is that they are both techniques that strive to get rid of microscopic organisms that can be harmful and risk the safety of an environment, a liquid, a wound or a tool among other things. They sound similar but cannot be mixed up or will put a sensible product at risk.Īseptic and sterile go hand in hand.

In a pharmaceutical context, it is very important to know which is which and what they represent medically. These terms, which can be obviously used in a medical setting, also apply to the safekeeping of food and other perishable goods that can be attacked by bacteria, fungi or viruses. While the principles of aseptic technique remain constant for all procedures, the level of practice will change depending upon a standard risk assessment.Īseptic technique is a key component of Standard 3 of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards which are intended to prevent or minimise the risk of introducing harmful infectious agents into sterile areas of the body when undertaking clinical procedures.The difference between 'aseptic' and 'sterile' is not always properly understood. Good aseptic technique procedures help prevent and control healthcare associated infections. Aseptic technique protects patients during invasive clinical procedures by employing infection control measures that minimise, as far as practicably possible, the presence of pathogenic organisms.