Which action is essential to maintain asepsis during ventilator setup?

• A. Wash hands
• B. Use dirty gloves
• C. Reuse disposable circuits without cleaning
• D. Delay sterilization

Answer: (A)

Maintaining asepsis begins with hand hygiene. Before touching the ventilator, patient, or any circuit components, washing hands removes transient microorganisms that could be transferred to sterile surfaces or the airway. Clean hands reduce the risk of introducing infection during assembly and connection of the ventilator circuit, which is especially crucial in neonates where infections can have serious consequences.

Using dirty gloves can still transfer organisms and gives a false sense of cleanliness. Reusing disposable circuits without cleaning defeats sterility and can introduce contamination. Delaying sterilization allows microbes to grow on equipment.

So, washing hands is the essential step to keep the setup aseptic and protect the patient from infection.