COURSE INTRODUCTION

Hospital patients are especially vulnerable to infection due to illness and lowered resistance, or invasive therapies that increase the risk of infection. By studying this course, you can learn about medical asepsis and how to provide the important nursing care that is needed.

To complete this course, you must do the following:

• Read the material below and any related reading
• Study the terminology
• Complete the learning activity
• Take the post test and follow the instructions for submitting your test for credit.

The material is organized around the following categories:

• Introduction
• Personal Health and Hygiene
• Hand Hygiene
• Patient Hygiene
• Disposal of Wastes
• Universal Precautions
• Basic Principles of Isolation
• Conclusion

PURPOSE/OVERALL GOAL

The purpose of this program is to provide nurses an understanding of medical asepsis and the procedures to follow to provide care safely to those vulnerable to infection due to illness and lowered resistance.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

• Identify five personal hygiene measures that should be followed on a daily basis.
• Name the most important procedure to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
• Demonstrate the steps for routine hand hygiene, and identify situations where routine hand hygiene should be performed.
Describe the relationship between hygiene and the spread of infection.
• Describe the principles of proper handling of contaminated waste materials.

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