As doctors and scientists have learned more about the causes of infection, they have developed principles and practices of asepsis. You will be responsible for using these techniques to keep patients, yourself, and your workplace free from contamination. The two levels of asepsis used today are medical asepsis and surgical asepsis. You must also follow federal regulations related to infection control and asepsis, including the OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens Standard, Universal Precautions, and Standard Precautions (if you work in a hospital).

To protect patients and yourself, you need to know how pathogens cause disease, how disease is transmitted, and how to prevent the spread of infection. You will also use this knowledge to help your employer educate patients about ways they can remain healthy and reduce their risk of contracting diseases.