Final answer:
Three principles of surgical asepsis include thorough handwashing and surgical scrubbing, maintaining a sterile field, and using disinfectants and antiseptics to clean surgical tools and sites.
Step-by-step explanation:
Principles of surgical asepsis are essential to prevent post-operative infections and ensure patient safety during medical procedures. Three key principles are:
- Handwashing and surgical scrubbing: To greatly reduce the normal microbiota on the skin's surface and prevent the introduction of these organisms into a patient's surgical wounds.
- Maintaining a sterile field: A controlled area free of vegetative microbes, endospores, and viruses to minimize the risk of contaminating the surgical site.
- Use of disinfectants and antiseptics: Applying disinfectants like carbolic acid to clean surgical tools and the surgical site, as introduced by Joseph Lister, can effectively reduce infection rates.
These principles are crucial in preventing sepsis and ensuring the safety and successful outcome of surgical procedures.