What are key infection control practices in the perioperative setting?

• A. Aseptic Technique, Sterile Prepping, Instrument Sterilization, Hand Hygiene, PPE, Equipment Cleaning.
• B. Rely On Antibiotics For All Procedures.
• C. Wearing Casual Clothing In OR.
• D. Skipping Hand Hygiene To Save Time.

Answer: (A)

Infection control in the perioperative setting hinges on keeping the environment and everyone involved as free from microorganisms as possible. The practices listed—aseptic technique to prevent contamination of the sterile field, sterile prepping to lower the patient’s skin microbes, instrument sterilization to ensure tools are free of organisms, hand hygiene to stop transmission, PPE to protect both patient and staff, and thorough equipment cleaning to reduce environmental contamination—toster the foundation for preventing surgical site infections. These measures work together so a procedure can occur in a clean, controlled space. Relying on antibiotics for all procedures isn’t a substitute for proper technique and can promote antibiotic resistance; antibiotics are used selectively as prophylaxis in specific cases. Wearing casual clothing in the OR and skipping hand hygiene are unsafe and raise infection risk.