What is the main goal of surgical asepsis?

The main goal of surgical asepsis is to eliminate all microorganisms. This concept is critical in surgical settings where the risk of infection is particularly high. Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, involves creating a sterile field and using sterile instruments to ensure that no pathogens can enter an open wound or surgical site.

While the reduction of pathogens is important in many healthcare settings, surgical asepsis goes a step further by aiming for complete sterility. This is essential because even a single microorganism can lead to serious infections following surgery. Procedures that employ surgical asepsis include surgeries, invasive procedures, and catheterizations where maintaining a sterile environment is vital to patient safety.

The focus on cleaning surfaces, though important in general infection control, does not equate to the complete elimination of microorganisms necessary within surgical contexts. Similarly, maintaining a healthy environment is a broader goal that encompasses various aspects of infection control but does not specifically address the stringent requirements of surgical asepsis.