Medical Asepsis vs. Surgical Asepsis: What is Aseptic Technique?

Table of Contents: 

• Introduction
• What is Aseptic Technique?
• What is Medical Asepsis?
• What is Surgical Asepsis?
• Medical Asepsis vs Surgical Asepsis
• Components of Aseptic Technique
•  Why Is Aseptic Technique Important?
• Common Missteps in Aseptic Technique
• How to Maintain Aseptic Techniques in Different Healthcare Settings
• Wrapping Up

Did you know that about 1 in 31 hospital patients in the U.S. suffer from a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) every day? This is a serious issue, but it can often be prevented by following the “aseptic technique.” Aseptic technique is a set of practices healthcare workers use to keep patients safe from germs that could cause infections. 

Whether you’re getting a simple wound cleaned or undergoing major surgery, germs are always a risk. The aseptic technique aims to reduce or eliminate these germs to protect the patient. 

Medical asepsis and surgical asepsis are the two main types of aseptic techniques. Both are important and used in different situations. 

In this guide, we’ll explore medical asepsis vs surgical asepsis, how they’re used, and why following proper aseptic techniques is important for healthcare workers and patients alike.

What is Aseptic Technique?

Aseptic technique refers to practices and procedures that healthcare workers use to protect patients from infections. The goal is to keep the environment, equipment, and the person performing the procedure free from harmful germs. 

There are different levels of aseptic technique depending on the type of procedure. For some procedures, such as minor treatments, basic cleanliness is enough, but for more invasive procedures, a rigorous and more controlled level of cleanliness is required. Aseptic techniques can be grouped into two broad categories:

• Medical Asepsis
• Surgical Asepsis

What is Medical Asepsis?

You must have noticed that when you get a wound dressing at your doctor’s office, the nurse washes their hands, wears gloves, and cleans the wound before applying a fresh bandage. This is an example of medical asepsis, where cleanliness reduces the chances of infection.

Medical asepsis, also called clean technique, focuses on reducing the number of germs and preventing their spread. It doesn’t aim to eliminate all germs but to lower the chances of infection. Some of the key features of medical asepsis:

• Hand Hygiene: Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the cornerstone of medical asepsis.
• Clean Equipment: Medical equipment is cleaned and disinfected but not always sterilized (completely free of all germs).
• Wearing Gloves: Gloves are often worn to protect healthcare workers and patients from germs.
• Cleaning the Environment: Surfaces, patient rooms, and tools are cleaned to reduce the number of germs in the area.

When is Medical Asepsis Used?

Medical asepsis, also called clean technique, refers to practices in daily healthcare intended to decrease the transmission of microorganisms. It is used when caring for a patient with intact skin without invasive procedures. Examples include routine care, medication administration, and simple wound dressing changes. 

Healthcare workers will utilize hand hygiene, put on clean gloves, and provide a clean environment. Although not as rigid as surgical asepsis, medical asepsis is crucial for hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities in reducing the transmission of pathogens between patients and healthcare workers.

Also Read: What is the HIPAA Omnibus Rule, and Why Does It Matter?

What is Surgical Asepsis?

During surgery, all tools are sterilized, and the entire surgical team wears sterile gowns and gloves. Every object that comes into contact with the patient’s open wound is sterile to avoid introducing germs that could cause an infection.

Surgical asepsis, also known as the sterile technique, is more rigid. Sterility is crucial for procedures where even a single germ could cause a life-threatening infection. Some of the key features of surgical asepsis:

• Sterile Equipment: All tools used in a surgical or invasive procedure are completely free of germs. They are either sterilized in an autoclave (a machine that uses steam and pressure to kill germs) or are disposable and used only once.
• Sterile Field: A special sterile area is created around the surgical site. Only sterile instruments and gloved hands can touch this area.
• Sterile Gloves And Gowns: Healthcare workers involved in the procedure wear sterile gloves, gowns, masks, and sometimes eye protection to avoid contaminating the sterile field.
• Strict Hand Hygiene: Healthcare workers scrub their hands thoroughly before donning sterile gloves.
• Controlled Environment: The procedure takes place in a sterile environment like an operating room or sterile procedure room.

When is Surgical Asepsis Used?

Surgical asepsis is critical for procedures that breach the body’s natural defenses. It’s mandatory during surgeries, catheter insertions into blood vessels, placement of tubes into the body (like central lines), and invasive diagnostic procedures such as biopsies. These situations create direct pathways for pathogens to enter sterile areas of the body. 

Even minimal contamination can result in serious infections, making strict adherence to sterile technique essential. Healthcare providers must maintain a completely sterile field and use sterilized equipment to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Medical Asepsis vs Surgical Asepsis

Medical asepsis and surgical asepsis are both important practices to prevent infections, but they have different purposes and methods. The following table outlines these key differences in medical vs surgical asepsis: 

 

Aspect	Medical Asepsis	Surgical Asepsis
Goal	It is used to minimize the spread of infection by reducing the number of germs.	It is used to achieve and maintain sterility by eliminating all the germs.
Used in	It is used in everyday healthcare settings.	It is used in surgical and invasive procedures.
Environment	The environment will be clean but not necessarily sterile.	The environment will be completely sterile.
Protective Gear	Gloves, masks, and gowns (not sterile).	Sterile gloves, masks, gowns, and tools
Waste Disposal	There is proper disposal of contaminated items.	There is strict sterile handling of all the items.

Components of Aseptic Technique

In healthcare, keeping everything clean and free from harmful germs is essential to protect patients from infections. Whether it’s medical or surgical asepsis, certain key components help maintain a safe and clean environment for patients and staff. The key components of the aseptic technique are:

• Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the most basic and important step in preventing the spread of germs. Healthcare workers must wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after coming into contact with patients. This simple step can drastically reduce the risk of transferring germs from one patient to another. Clean hands are crucial to protecting both the patient and the healthcare worker from infections.

• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is another critical part of the aseptic technique. PPE includes items like gloves, masks, gowns, and sometimes eye protection. The type of PPE required varies depending on the procedure being performed. For example, if a nurse is drawing blood, they may only need clean gloves, but a surgeon operating will need sterile gloves, a mask, a gown, and possibly eye protection. PPE helps create a barrier between germs and the patient or healthcare worker, reducing the chances of infection.

• Cleaning and Disinfecting Equipment

All equipment used in patient care must be properly cleaned between uses. Disinfection removes most germs, but sterilization is needed to eliminate all germs from surgical instruments and other critical tools. 

Choosing between disinfection and sterilization depends on the procedure being done and the equipment used. For instance, non-invasive tools may only need disinfection, while surgical tools must be sterilized to ensure no germs are present.

• Maintaining a Sterile Field

Maintaining a sterile field is essential in surgical procedures. This means keeping the area around the surgical site completely free from contamination. Only sterile items, such as instruments and gloved hands, can come into contact with the sterile field. Healthcare workers must take extreme care to avoid introducing any germs into this area, as even the smallest contamination can lead to serious infections.

• Proper Disposal of Waste

Proper waste disposal is another important component of the aseptic technique. Used gloves, bandages, and other contaminated materials should be disposed of in designated containers designed for medical waste. This prevents the spread of germs and reduces the risk of infection for other patients and healthcare staff. Careful waste management ensures that contaminated materials are handled safely and hygienically.

Read More: What Happens if a Nurse Violates HIPAA?

Why Is Aseptic Technique Important?

The aseptic technique remains one of the most important infection control practices in healthcare to prevent infectious diseases and illnesses. It sets up a protective barrier between microorganisms and the receiver, whether it be the patient or the healthcare professional. Here’s why the aseptic technique is so important:

• Prevents Infections: 

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern. These infections can happen during medical procedures when harmful germs enter the body. HAIs can cause serious complications, extend hospital stays, and even lead to death in severe cases. Proper aseptic technique minimizes the chance of infections by reducing the presence and spread of germs.

• Protects Patients and Healthcare Workers: 

Healthcare workers protect their patients and themselves against germs by practicing aseptic techniques. This can be achieved by placing a barrier between patients and health workers by using gloves, masks, etc. It should be used during the treatment of all patients who are prone to infectious diseases.

• Improves Patient Outcomes: 

Patients tend to recover more quickly when infections are avoided. When we use an aseptic technique, there will be fewer complications during recovery. Hence, patients can heal faster and have a better overall experience. Healthcare workers can also contribute to better health outcomes and a smoother recovery process for patients by preventing infections.

Common Missteps in Aseptic Technique

Even though healthcare workers are trained to use aseptic techniques, mistakes can still happen, which can lead to the spread of infections. These errors can occur during busy shifts or due to a lack of attention to detail. Understanding common missteps can help healthcare workers avoid them and maintain a safe environment for patients. Here are some common mistakes in aseptic technique:

• Not Following Hand Hygiene Guidelines: 

Skipping handwashing or not washing hands thoroughly can introduce germs into a clean area. Hand hygiene is the first and most important step in preventing the spread of infections, and missing this step increases the risk.

• Breaking the Sterile Field: 

A sterile field is meant to remain free from contamination. If a non-sterile object touches the sterile area, the entire procedure may be compromised, raising the chance of infection.

• Reusing Disposable Equipment: 

Disposable equipment is designed to be used once and then thrown away. Reusing these items can transfer germs from one patient to another, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

• Improper Use of PPE: 

If personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves or masks isn’t worn properly or is put on or taken off incorrectly, it can lead to contamination and exposure to germs.

Aseptic Techniques in Different Healthcare Settings

Maintaining aseptic techniques is important to prevent infections in different healthcare settings, whether in hospitals, clinics, or at home. Each setting has its own rules and practices to keep things clean and safe. 

• In Hospitals: 

Strict guidelines must be followed for both medical and surgical asepsis. Hospitals have dedicated sterilization units for surgical tools, and healthcare workers receive ongoing training in aseptic techniques.

• In Clinics: 

Medical asepsis is more common in clinics. Healthcare workers should still follow hand hygiene guidelines and use clean gloves, but the level of sterility is lower than in a hospital.

• At Home: 

For patients who need at-home care, family members or caregivers should be trained in basic medical asepsis. This may involve washing hands, using clean bandages, and keeping the home environment clean.

Wrapping Up

Understanding the differences between medical asepsis vs surgical asepsis is crucial for both healthcare workers and patients. Medical asepsis, or clean technique, is about reducing germs to prevent infections during everyday procedures, while surgical asepsis, or sterile technique, aims to eliminate all germs during more invasive procedures. Both approaches play a critical role in protecting patients from infections, ensuring safer medical care, and improving recovery outcomes.

To further your understanding and enhance safety in your workplace, consider enrolling in OSHA infection control training. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and safety in healthcare environments.