What is Aseptic Technique? Let's talk about it simply!

If you've ever been to a hospital or seen doctors and nurses applying medicine to your wound, they'll be very careful and follow special procedures. They'll put on new gloves, take the instruments out of special packages, and apply medicine around the wound. Have you ever wondered why they do all this? The reason for this is what we're talking about today is called 'Aseptic Technique'. Simply put, this is a very strict, important procedure used to prevent the spread of germs.

Why do we need this thing called 'Aseptic Technique'?

Think about it, there are germs everywhere in the environment around us. There are millions of germs in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, even on our skin. But not all of these germs make us sick. Most of them are harmless. But, there are some germs, we call them pathogens . These are the ones that cause us serious illnesses and infections. For example, things like bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Normally, our skin is like a big protective wall that prevents these germs from entering the body. But when you have surgery, when you have an injury, or when something like a cannula is inserted, this protective layer of skin is broken. Then, it becomes very easy for those dangerous germs to enter the body.

Here are some situations where this method is particularly necessary:

• When dressing wounds and covering them with medicine.
• When performing surgery.
• When inserting special tubes (PICC lines or central venous catheters) into veins.
• In treatments such as dialysis for kidney patients.
• In some cases, blood samples or other samples are taken for testing.

In all these cases, the goal is to prevent germs from entering the patient's body as much as possible.

What is the difference between the three words 'Clean', 'Aseptic' and 'Sterile'?

You may have heard these three words when talking to a doctor. Although they sound similar, there are some small but very important differences. Let's understand this clearly.

Simply put, a doctor uses 'aseptic' methods to prevent you from getting an infection by using a 'sterile' or completely germ-free environment and equipment.

What are the four main elements of 'Aseptic Technique'?

There are four main steps to follow to properly perform this germ-free method. Let's go through them one by one.

1. Equipment and patient preparation

This is the first and most important step. All equipment used in the treatment must be completely disinfected, or 'sterilized.' The most common method for this is to destroy germs using high heat and pressure.

• Sterilization of instruments: The instruments are specially wrapped and placed in a machine called an autoclave . The high temperature and steam pressure inside this machine destroy all microorganisms on the instruments. After taking them out of the machine, a special indicator on the package is checked (for example, a tape that changes color). This confirms that the sterilization process has been completed correctly.
• Preparing the patient: As well as the equipment, the patient's area where the treatment will be performed must be cleaned. This is done by using an antiseptic to kill any germs in the area.

2. Using Barriers

Barriers are things that prevent germs from moving from one place to another. This is like a shield used in war.

• Personal protective equipment: Examples include sterile gloves, gowns, and masks worn by doctors and nurses. Wearing these items prevents the germs on their bodies from being passed on to the patient, and the germs on the patient's body from being passed on to them.
• Other barriers: Sterile drapes, which are draped around the patient's body during surgery, are another barrier. This serves to expose only the surgical site and prevent germs from entering from anywhere else.

3. Contact Guidelines

This is a very important rule. Simply put, the rule is this: "A sterile item can only be touched by another sterile item."

• For example, after a doctor puts on sterile gloves, he can handle sterile instruments. But he can't blow his nose or answer the phone with those gloves. If he does, those gloves are no longer 'sterile'. That means they have become 'contaminated', or dirty.

4. Environmental Controls

It is essential to keep the treatment room or environment free of germs.

• Have you ever wondered why the doors of an operating room are always closed? The reason is to prevent germs from entering the room with the air from outside.
• Also, they are limiting the number of people who can enter such places. They are also using special air filtration systems to remove germs from the air.

The Importance of Aseptic Technique and Your Role

By following this method exactly, hospital-acquired infections can be largely prevented. This can be a matter of life and death, especially for patients with compromised immune systems.

For this system to work properly, everyone in the healthcare sector, from doctors to cleaning staff, must strictly follow these rules.

If you ever feel like a doctor or nurse didn't wash their hands before treating you, or if they're using dirty equipment, don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions. There's nothing wrong with asking respectfully, "Doctor, excuse me, did you wash your hands?" It's your right to do so for your own safety. A good healthcare worker will never get angry at a question like that, and they appreciate it.

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