Keep It Clean peer.tamu.edu In cooperation with: The Emma Barnsley Foundation The PEER Program at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences peer.tamu.edu

Homeostasis The ability of the body to maintain internal stability or balance Inability to maintain homeostasis may lead to disease or death

Are You in Balance? What are some ways your body maintains homeostasis?

Microorganism Microscopic organisms Present everywhere Bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, viruses Present everywhere Bodies, soil, atmosphere, ocean, Antarctica… Beneficial or detrimental Nutrient cycling, food preparation, nutrient absorption, pathogenic

Microorganisms & Disease Pathogen - a micro-organism that has the potential to cause disease Infection - the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microbes Disease - infection causes damage to the individual’s vital functions or systems homeostatic imbalance

Microorganisms & Disease Respiratory tract (mouth and nose) Breaks in the skin surface Gastrointestinal tract (mouth oral cavity) To cause an infection, microbes must enter our bodies portals of entry Urogenital tract

Microorganisms & Disease To make us ill microbes have to: Reach their target site Attach to the target site Multiply rapidly Obtain nutrients from the host Avoid and survive attack by host’s immune system

Aseptic Technique A procedure used by medical staff to prevent the spread of pathogens Achieve asepsis (the state of being free from disease causing contaminants)

This is a Test! Fiona has come to the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital to be spayed. Which image illustrates the mostly likely source of contamination during her surgery? Surgical Instruments Fiona Surgeon

Shave hair from the surgical site Patient Shave hair from the surgical site Apply sterile drapes around the surgical site Cleanse with a disinfectant containing iodine, alcohol, or chlorhexidine gluconate Most comon source of pathogens

Surgical Team Hand washing/surgical scrub special antimicrobial soap on hands and forearms 2 – 5 minutes of scrubbing

Surgical Team Sterile clothing Gloves, face masks, goggles, and transparent eye/face shields serve as barriers against microorganisms Cover facial hair, tuck hair in cap, remove jewelry Dress with deliberate care to avoid touching external, sterile surfaces with non-sterile objects Personnel assist the surgeon

Equipment Surgical instruments - sterilized by chemical treatment, radiation, gas, or heat Ensure sterility by checking sterility indicators and that packages are dry and intact Never re-use disposable equipment Syringes

Environment Contains potential hazards that may spread pathogens through movement, touch, or proximity Restrict traffic in the sterile field Maintain positive-pressure airflow (to prevent air from contaminated areas from entering the sterile field)

What About Your Environment? Look around your classroom and identify items that might help achieve asepsis.

Questions?