Test 3 Flashcards
(51 cards)
The surgical scrub definition
- The process of removing as many micro-organisms as possible from the hands and arms by mechanical washing and chemical antisepsis before participating in the surgical procedure
- NOTE: you are unable to sterilize your hands and arms, but you can get them surgically clean
Types of microorganisms
- skin is inhabited with:
- Resident flora (live on skin, can’t get rid of completly)
- Transient flora (picked up along the way)
Purposes of surgical scrub
- decrease the number of resident flora to an irreducible minimum
- keep population of microorganisms minimal during the procedure by suppression of growth
- reduce hazard of microbial contamination of wound by transient and resident flora
Two processes of the surgical scrub
- Mechanical- the actual friction of the scrub sponge against the skin
- Chemical- inactivation of microorganisms with a microbial or antiseptic agent, reducing resident flora
*need to have both*
Antimicrobial agents (Scrub Soap) must be:
- a broad-spectrum, anti-microbial agent
- fast-acting and effective
- non-irritating and non-sensitizing
- prolonged-acting, that is, it leaves an antimicrobial residue on the skin to temporarily prevent growth of micro-organisms on the skin (should last duration of procedure)
- independent of cumulative action
- FDA-approved
Antimicrobial agents
- Iodophors (Betadine)
- Chlorohexidine Gluconate (CHG)
- Parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX)
- Alcohol
- Hexachlorophene (see less of. No longer used as a scrub)
- Triclosan (see even less of)
Iodophors
(Iodine or betadine)
- Rapidly antimicrobial (gram- & gram+)
- Some residual effect
- Not sustained very long
- can be irritating
- do not use if allergic to iodine
- available at: 10%, 7.5%, 2% and 0.5% (10 and 7.5 for scrubs usually)
Chlorohexidine Gluconate
(CHG)
- 4% aqueous concentration or 0.5% in alcohol used in place of betadine
- residual prolonged effect (6 hours)
- Poorly effective on mycobacteria (TB)
- Drying to the skin
- irritating to eyes and ears
- so don’t use around faces
Parachlorometaxylenol
(PCMX)
- 3rd choice
- no sustained residual activity
- does not reduce microbial count immediately
- available at 1%-3.75%
- may be used in individuals sensitive to iodophors and chlorohexadine gluconate
Alcohol
- Scrubless Scrub
- leaves film, usually another agent suspended in alcohol
- ethyl or isopropyl 60%-90%
- rapid and kills all microorganisms
- no residual activity
- drying to skin
Triclosan
- used rarely
- usually used in 1% concentration
- blended with lanolin and petrolatum
- not entirley effective against fungi
- questionable efficacy against viruses
- cumulative effect when used regularly
- may be used by those sensitive to other agents
Methods of scrubbing
-
Timed method
- First scrub of day= 5 minutes
- Subsequent scrubs= 3 minutes
- Brushstroke method
- Brushless or waterless
Rules for the scrubber
- short, clean nails with cuticles in good shape
- good skin integity of the hands and arms
- NO fingernail polish
- NO artifiial nails
- NO jewelry
- NO oil-based lotions (water based please)
- REMEMBER to wear your goggles
- also remember to but hat and mask where you want it. Last time you can touch these things
Needed items for your scrub
- Scrub sink
- disposable scrub brushes
- brush side for nails only
- sponge side for skin
- soap dispenser
Important concepts:
- Hands above elbows always!
- you want your fingertips to be the cleanest. Funcionally, this means you want water to flow from fingers to elbows, not from elbows to fingers, so your hands should be above your elbows. rinse starting with fingertips and hen flowing over hands and arms for the same reason
5 success factors of steam sterilization
- Time
- Temperature
- Moisture
- Pressure
- Contact
Features of steam sterilizers
- Two metal “shells”, forming a “jacket” and a “chamber”
- above, a steam introducer; below, a steam-air drain
- pressurized sealing door
- control panel/specification printout
Gravity displacement autoclave
- common pressure: 15-18 psi
- Temp range: 250-275F
Prevacuum Autoclave
- Common pressure: 27-30 psi (27 in austin)
- Temp range: 270-276F
“Flash” Autoclave
- defined by dedicated use: not a type of machine (can be gravity displacement or prevacuum)
- we like to avoid flashing- should not be used routinely to sterilize entire sets; for emergency or special use only
- 1-3 instruments, non-lumen= steam exposure time 3 minutes
- 4 or more instruments or sets, or lumened= 10 minute steam exposure time
When placing in flash pan instruments should be…
unratcheted
Two Important priorities for Laparotomy Set up
- Cover mayo stand
- Contain sharps safely in neddlebook
What is the next priority after you contain sharps and drape the mayo?
get ready to count with the circulator
After your count is done, what is the next priority?
get mayo ready