Title: Explain the concept of asepsis in veterinary work.
Course: Veterinary Science I (18105-I) > Section: Understanding Safety and Sanitation

Explanation should include

- definitions of asepsis, aseptic, disinfect, sterile, and sterilize
- differences among sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing
- differences between infection and contamination
- differences between a disinfectant and an antiseptic
- the importance of asepsis in veterinary medicine
- principles of disease transmission, including the concept that microbes (e.g., Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]) present on surfaces can remain infective for periods of time
- the concept that sterilization uses physical or chemical processes to destroy all microbial life
- methods of sterilization commonly used in veterinary hospitals (e.g., steam in an autoclave, ethylene oxide)
- factors that could alter effective sterilization (e.g., presence of gross material, incorrect pressure/time during an autoclave cycle)
- recommended practices for maintaining a sterile field

Process/Skill Questions:

- How can contamination be prevented in a veterinary facility?
- How can a veterinary healthcare professional be the vector for cross-contamination?
- How can the veterinary healthcare professional prevent contaminated wounds from becoming infectious?
- How long can some microbes remain infective on surfaces, including those of surgical instruments?
- Why is contact time crucial with the application of chemical disinfectants?
- Why are spores particularly difficult to destroy?