b. It is, therefore, important that OR and CMS personnel develop a "surgical
conscience." A "surgical conscience" can best be defined as a surgical Golden
Rule--Do unto the patient as you would have others do unto you. "Surgical conscience"
is so important that it almost becomes automatic with experienced personnel. Asepsis
and sterile technique are done at all times as instruments, materials, and supplies are
processed through the CMS, including the storage of items and the delivery of supplies
to the using units. "THINK STERILE" is the motto of CMS.
c. Sterile is absolute. Items are either sterile or unsterile. A rule to follow in
determining the sterility of an item is "if in doubt, throw it out."
1-18. INFECTION AND INFECTION CONTROL
a. Infection is the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and the
reaction of tissue to the microorganism. Infection control is the prevention of infection
as much as possible. A good hospital and operating room infection control program
must be carried out by all persons who help care for patients. The infection control
program in a hospital includes the following:
(1)
Good housekeeping and maintenance of facilities.
(2)
Sterility of surgical supplies and equipment.
(3)
Cleanliness of the hospital clothes of patients, surgeons, and other
personnel.
(4)
Strict aseptic technique.
(5)
Good personal hygiene by all personnel.
(6) Reporting, evaluating, and maintaining records of infections that occur in
patients and personnel.
b. The purposes of infection control are to:
(1)
Decrease infection in the hospital.
(2)
Improve healing.
(3)
Decrease deaths and disability.
(4)
Cut hospital costs.
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