asepsis
Freedom from pathogens
Asepsis is the absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause infection.
In medical contexts, asepsis refers to practices that maintain sterile conditions during surgery or wound care: Strict asepsis is essential in the operating room.
The adjective is aseptic.
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
autoclaving · chlorhexidine · alcohol · iodine · bleach · hydrogen peroxide · fumigation · germicide
Preventive medical treatment
- infection controlPreventing pathogen transmission
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
- hand hygieneCleaning one's palms
- biosecurityProtection against biological threats
quarantine · isolation · containment · cross-contamination · hospital-acquired · transmission · exposure · protocol
Uncontaminated surgical workspace
- operating theaterRoom for surgical procedures
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- gownLong formal garment
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
mask · drapes · prep · instrumentation · scalpel · forceps · retractor · sutures
Containing no microorganisms
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- bacteriostaticInhibits microbial reproduction
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antibacterialKills or inhibits germs
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
pasteurization · autoclaving · chlorhexidine · alcohol · iodine · bleach · hydrogen peroxide · fumigation · germicide · bactericide
prophylaxis
Preventive medical treatment
- infection controlPreventing pathogen transmission
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
- hand hygieneCleaning one's palms
biosecurity · quarantine · isolation · containment · cross-contamination · hospital-acquired · transmission · exposure · protocol · compliance
sterile field
Uncontaminated surgical workspace
- operating theaterRoom for surgical procedures
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- gownLong formal garment
gloves · mask · drapes · prep · instrumentation · scalpel · forceps · retractor · sutures · incision
germfree
Containing no microorganisms
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- bacteriostaticInhibits microbial reproduction
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
antibacterial · antifungal · pathogen-free · clean room · isolator
asepsissepsis
Dangerous inflammatory infection response
infection · contamination · septicemia · bacteremia · toxemia
asepsisdirtiness
State of being unclean
uncleanliness · filth · contamination · squalor · foulness
antiseptic, septic, aseptic, sepsis, septicemia, antiseptics, antisepsis, antiseptically, aseptically