Hygiene and aseptic work in the veterinary clinic

In a veterinary clinic, many animals pass by each day — some sick, some carriers of disease. Good hygiene breaks the infection routes and protects other patients, staff and yourself. It is a daily, ongoing discipline, not just something that applies in the operating theatre.

The sequence is important: you cannot disinfect or sterilize effectively if there is still visible dirt. Therefore always clean before disinfecting.

• 01Wash hands with water and soap if visibly dirty.
• 02Use hand disinfection between patients when hands are clean and dry.
• 03Keep nails short and avoid jewelry that collects dirt.
• 04Wear gloves when in contact with body fluids — gloves do not replace hand hygiene.

Asepsis means working so microorganisms are not introduced into a sterile field. Around operations this includes among other things preparation and draping of the surgical field sterile equipment and correct clothing of the sterile staff.

• 01Keep sterile and unclean separate — never cross the line between them.
• 02What is sterile may only touch something else sterile.
• 03Keep track of what's been touched — in case of doubt it's considered unclean.
• 04Follow the clinic's procedures for sterilized instrument storage.

“Hygiene is the quiet work that prevents complications no one sees.”