aseptika

Aseptika, or asepsis, is a discipline and set of practices aimed at preventing infection by pathogenic microorganisms during medical procedures and in environments where people are at risk. The goal is to maintain a sterile or essentially microorganism-free field to protect patients, workers, and the surrounding area.

Asepsis is distinct from antisepsis. Asepsis refers to maintaining a sterile environment and preventing contamination, while antisepsis describes the use of antimicrobial agents on living tissue to reduce or eliminate microorganisms. In practice, medical settings apply both concepts through medical asepsis (clean technique) and surgical asepsis (sterile technique).

Core practices include stringent hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, sterilization of instruments, and the creation of sterile fields with drapes and sterile supplies. Wound care and patient skin preparation are performed to minimize microbial load. Environmental controls such as air filtration, controlled room pressures, and laminar flow systems help reduce airborne contamination. Proper waste disposal, reprocessing of instruments, and routine monitoring of sterility are also essential.

Methods of achieving asepsis involve various sterilization and disinfection techniques. Sterilization methods include steam autoclaving, dry heat, chemical sterilants, and irradiation. Disinfection targets non-living surfaces and often uses chemical agents with specific contact times. Some items are designed for single use and are disposed of after one procedure.

Historically, aseptic principles emerged in the 19th century with work by Pasteur and Lister and have significantly reduced infection rates in surgery and medicine. Even with strict protocols, complete sterility is not guaranteed, making ongoing training, auditing, and adherence crucial.