Asepsis: meaning, definitions and examples

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asepsis

[əˈsep.sɪs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical practice

The practice of maintaining a sterile environment to prevent the spread of infection.

Synonyms

cleanliness, sterility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
asepsis	Used primarily in medical and healthcare settings to prevent infection by eliminating germs and bacteria. The surgeon ensured complete asepsis before starting the operation. Proper asepsis is crucial in wound care to prevent infections.
sterility	Mostly used in scientific, laboratory, and medical contexts where an absolute absence of microorganisms is required. The lab technician checked the sterility of the equipment before starting the experiment. Hospitals maintain sterility in operating rooms to avoid contamination.
cleanliness	Refers to the state of being clean and is relevant in both general and specific contexts, like home hygiene, personal grooming, and public spaces. Good cleanliness in the kitchen prevents foodborne illnesses. Cleanliness is a key factor in maintaining overall health.

Word

Description / Examples

asepsis

Used primarily in medical and healthcare settings to prevent infection by eliminating germs and bacteria.

The surgeon ensured complete asepsis before starting the operation.
Proper asepsis is crucial in wound care to prevent infections.

sterility

Mostly used in scientific, laboratory, and medical contexts where an absolute absence of microorganisms is required.

The lab technician checked the sterility of the equipment before starting the experiment.
Hospitals maintain sterility in operating rooms to avoid contamination.

cleanliness

Refers to the state of being clean and is relevant in both general and specific contexts, like home hygiene, personal grooming, and public spaces.

Good cleanliness in the kitchen prevents foodborne illnesses.
Cleanliness is a key factor in maintaining overall health.

Examples of usage

Surgeons use asepsis to minimize the risk of postoperative infections.
Asepsis is crucial in hospital settings to protect patients from harmful pathogens.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

The absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Synonyms

disinfection, sterilization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
asepsis	Used in medical and healthcare environments to refer to conditions that are free from harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. The surgeon ensured asepsis before starting the procedure. Proper asepsis is critical to prevent infections in hospitals.
sterilization	Specifically denotes a process that eliminates all forms of life and other biological agents. Commonly used in healthcare and laboratory settings. All surgical instruments must undergo sterilization before use. Sterilization of lab equipment is essential to avoid contamination.
disinfection	Refers to the process of cleaning an area or object to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Often used in everyday contexts like cleaning homes or workplaces. The janitor performs regular disinfection of desks and surfaces. Disinfection of kitchen counters helps maintain hygiene.

Word

Description / Examples

asepsis

Used in medical and healthcare environments to refer to conditions that are free from harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.

The surgeon ensured asepsis before starting the procedure.
Proper asepsis is critical to prevent infections in hospitals.

sterilization

Specifically denotes a process that eliminates all forms of life and other biological agents. Commonly used in healthcare and laboratory settings.

All surgical instruments must undergo sterilization before use.
Sterilization of lab equipment is essential to avoid contamination.

disinfection

Refers to the process of cleaning an area or object to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Often used in everyday contexts like cleaning homes or workplaces.

The janitor performs regular disinfection of desks and surfaces.
Disinfection of kitchen counters helps maintain hygiene.

Examples of usage

Asepsis is essential in laboratory experiments to ensure accurate results.
Proper asepsis techniques are necessary when working with cell cultures.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Greek word 'aisthesis', meaning 'perception' or 'sensation', indicating a method to avoid feeling or experiencing infection.
In medical terminology, 'sepsis' relates to infections, while 'a-' is a prefix that indicates absence, together forming a concept focused on cleanliness.

Healthcare

The practice of asepsis is crucial in surgeries to prevent postoperative infections and promote safe recovery.
Hand hygiene is one of the simplest yet most effective methods of maintaining asepsis in healthcare settings.
Sterilization of surgical instruments is a key component of aseptic techniques, often using heat or chemical methods.

History

Aseptic techniques began to gain prominence in the late 19th century alongside the germ theory of disease, advancing surgical practices.
Pioneers like Joseph Lister advocated for antiseptic measures, eventually leading to the development of asepsis as a standard practice in modern medicine.

Science and Technology

Asepsis is critical in laboratory work, especially in microbiology, where maintaining a germ-free environment is essential for accurate results.
Modern technology has improved aseptic procedures, with the introduction of disposable tools and automated sterilization processes.

Psychology

Aseptic environments can influence patient anxiety levels; clean and sterile settings might help some patients feel safer during medical procedures.
The psychological impact of cleanliness in healthcare can affect patient recovery, as well-maintained environments promote a sense of well-being.

Translations

Translations of the word "asepsis" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assepsia

🇮🇳 स्वच्छता

🇩🇪 Asepsis

🇮🇩 asepsis

🇺🇦 асептика

🇵🇱 aseptyka

🇯🇵 無菌

🇫🇷 asepsie

🇪🇸 asepsia

🇹🇷 asepsi

🇰🇷 무균

🇸🇦 تعقيم

🇨🇿 asepse

🇸🇰 asepsia

🇨🇳 无菌

🇸🇮 asepsa

🇮🇸 sýkingarvarna

🇰🇿 асептика

🇬🇪 ასეპსია

🇦🇿 aseptika

🇲🇽 asepsia