Asepsis is the freedom from disease-
causing microorganism.
Infection is the growth of
microorganisms in the body tissue
where they are not usually found.
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
Used to decrease the possibility of
transferring microorganisms from one
place to another.
Medical Asepsis
 Reduces the number of pathogens
 Uses CLEAN Techniques
 Medical Handwashing
 Used in the ff procedures:
Medication Administration
Enema
Tube Feedings
Surgical Asepsis
 Sterile Technique
 Eliminates ALL pathogens
 Used in the ff procedures:
Wound Dressing Change
Surgical Procedures
MICROORGANISMS
 Bacteria – most common infection-
causing microbe
 Viruses – consist of primarily
nucleic acid and enter cells to
reproduce
 Fungi – yeasts and molds
 Parasites – live in other living
organisms
TYPE OF INFECTIONS
Local Infection – specific part of
the body. Covid-19 (viral), TB
(bacterial), Athlete’s Foot
(fungal), Malaria (parasitic)
Systemic Infection –
microorganisms spread and damage
different parts.
NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION
o Infection that originates in the
hospital or during the client’s
stay in the facility or the
setting
o Iatrogenic Infections – result of
diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures
CARDINAL SIGNS OF
INFECTION/INFLAMMATION
 Rubor (Redness)
 Edema/Tumor (Swelling)
 Calor (Heat)
 Dolor (Pain)
 Purulent Drainage
 Loss of Function
ETIOLOGICAL AGENT
 The microorganism that is
capable of producing in
infection.
 Note: The microbe’s ability to
produce an infection depends on
the number of microorganisms,
virulence, potency, and the
susceptibility of host.
RESERVOIR
 The source of microorganisms
 Carrier – a person or animal
that is a reservoir but does not
manifest any clinical signs of
the disease.
PORTAL OF EXIT
 The area where the infection
leaves the reservoir
METHOD OF TRANSMISSION
1.Direct Transmission – immediate
transfer (touching, kissing,
sexual intercourse)
Droplet Spread – host is within
1 meter (sneezing, coughing,
spitting, singing, talking)
2. Indirect Transmission
 Vehicle-borne transmission –
any substance that serves as an
intermediate means to transport
and introduce an infection.
Fomites – inanimate materials
can act as vehicles. Ex. Hep A
infection – food-borne disease
 Vector-borne transmission – an
animal or insect that serves as
an intermediate means of
transporting the infectious
agent.
Injecting salivary fluid during
bites or by depositing feces
(Ticks, Mites)
3. Airborne Transmission – may
involve droplets or dust. Droplet
nuclei or the residue of
evaporated droplets emitted by an
infected host can remain in the
air for a long time.
PORTAL OF ENTRY
Often the microorganisms enter the
body, the same route they used to
leave the source.
SUSCEPTIBLE HOST
Any person who is at risk for
infection
WHAT CAN WE DO AS NURSES?
Agent
1.Correctly clean, or sterilize
articles before using
2.Educating clients and support
persons about appropriate methods
to clean, disinfect, and sterilize
articles.
Sterilization – is the process that
kills all the living micro-organisms
including spores, viruses, and
fungi.
Disinfectants – are those germicides
or chemical substances which are
used to destroy or inhibit the
growth of pathogenic vegetative
bacteria (not their spores) on
inanimate (nonliving)surfaces such
as glassware or surgical
instruments.
Antiseptics – are those germicides
or chemical substances which are
used to destroy the pathogenic
bacteria (not spores) on animate
(living) surfaces such as skin
mucous membranes.
Reservoir
1.Changing dressings and bandages
when soiled or wet.
2.Appropriate skin and oral hygiene
3.Disposing of damp and soiled
linens appropriately.
4.Disposing of feces and urine in
appropriate receptacles
5.Ensuring that all fluid containers
are covered or capped.
6.Emptying suction bottles and
drainage bottle at end of each shift
or before full or according agency
policy
Portal of Exit
1.Covering the mouth and nose when
coughing or sneezing
2.Avoiding talking, coughing,
sneezing over open wounds or the
sterile area.
Mode of Transmission
1.Proper Handwashing
 Before touching a patient
 Before clean/aseptic procedure
 After body fluid exposure risk
 After touching a patient
 After touching patient
surroundings
2.Wearing of the appropriate
personal protective equipment
especially when handling secretions
and excretions. (GLOVES, MASKS, EYE
PROTECTION)
3.Placing discarded soiled materials
in moisture-proof bags.
Susceptible host
1.Maintaing the skin integrity and
the mucous membranes of the client
2.Ensuring proper nutrition and
healthy lifestyle
3.Proper education on the importance
of immunization
FACTORS INCREASING SUSCEPTIBILITY
1.Age – extremes of age are at
greater risk of infection due to
immature immune system and
decreased physiologic function
2.Heredity – development of
infection have a genetic
susceptibility.
3.Cultural Practices – healthcare
beliefs and practices, as well as
nutritional and hygiene practices
can influence the susceptibility
to decrease.
4.Nutrition – inadequate nutrition
can make a person more
susceptible to illness
5.Stress – physical and emotional
stress affect the body’s ability
against microbes
6.Rest and Exercise Pattern
7.Any physiological abnormality can
influence normal defense of the
body
8. Environment
9. Immunization
PRINCIPLES OF ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
1. Sterile objects become
unsterile when touch by
unsterile field.
2. Sterile objects can become
unsterile by prolong exposure
to airborne microorganisms.
3. The skin cannot be sterile and
is unsterile.
4. Conscientiousness, alertness
and honesty are essential
qualities in maintaining
asepsis.
THE NURSING PROCESS
Systematic, rational method of
planning that guides all nursing
actions in delivering holistic and
patient-focused care.
Assessment
 Nursing History (degree to which
the client is at risk of
developing of an infection,
client’s complaints, emotional
stressors, nutritional status)
 Physical Assessment (open wounds,
localized infectious process, age,
signs of infections)
 Laboratory Data (Elevated WBCs,
urine, blood, sputum or drainage
cultures)
Nursing Diagnosis
Risk for Infection- the individual
is at increased risk for being
invaded by pathogens
Potential Complication of Infection:
Fever
Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body
Requirements (for patients who are
ill to eat)
Acute Pain (for patients
experiencing tissue damage and
discomfort)
Impaired social Interaction (if the
patient is required to be separated)
Anxiety (if the patient experiences
changes with lifestyle)
1. Performed medical handwashing
2. Improved Personal Hygiene
3. Maintained a clean environment
ISOLATION PRECAUTIONS IN HOSPITALS
Category Specific Isolation

Strict isolation
Planning/Outcome Criteria
RISK FOR INFECTION
What are my goals for my patient?

 Maintain or Restore defenses

 Avoid the spread of infectious
organisms
 Reduce or alleviate problems
associated with the infection

After of ____ of nursing

interventions, client will be from
infection by manifesting positive
understanding of the different
measures to control or prevent
infection.
Specifically:
1. Acquire better understanding
and perform medical handwashing
2. Improve personal hygiene
3. Manifest a clean environment

Nursing Interventions
1. Demonstrate medical handwashing
2. Assist the client in performing
personal hygiene (if able)
3. Change soiled bed linens
4. Perform environmental care (bed
and bedside)

Evaluation
After performing my nursing
interventions, the patient was free
from infection and manifested
different measures to control or
prevent infection
Specifically: