Laufman H
Todays OR Nurse. 1990 Oct;12(10):15-9.
Aseptic discipline is the sum of the constraining factors governing the human behavioristic interface between the surgical environment and the surgical patient. Although certain details of the discipline may change with advances in immunology, pharmacology, surgical techniques, instrumentation, and other elements in the surgical environment, the basic principles of aseptic discipline must prevail and be enforced. Surgical professionals enter into an unwritten covenant to keep an unspoken promise to discharge their unseen duties in the aseptic chain of events, with only their own consciences to monitor their responsibility to the patient. The discussion of aseptic discipline is divided into its application to the five D's of infection control: discipline, defense mechanisms, drugs, devices, and design of the environment.