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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the principles of asepsis and sterility in a healthcare environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256536  Apply the principles of asepsis and sterility in a healthcare environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Pharmacy 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Curative Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard enables individuals to apply the principles of sterilization and asepsis in the working environment. Specifically individuals will be able to describe the basic elements of microbiology and explain how microorganisms are contained, thus giving the underpinning knowledge required to provide clients with information relating to health promotion. Individuals will also be able to apply processes required to achieve asepsis or sterilization of products and will be able to implement quality assurance procedures. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • The unit standard:
    > ID 256477: Define health promotion in the South African context. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the principles of asepsis in the healthcare environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The terms and concepts relating to asepsis are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terms and concepts includes sterile, asepsis, terminal sterilization, clean, isolation, contamination, antifungals, antibacterials, antiseptics.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The key components of the physical environment when preparing different classes of products are explained as they relate to asepsis. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key components includes clean, aseptic, isolation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Special requirements aimed to ensure maintenance of environment and product integrity are identified and described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Requirements relating to different settings in respect of special protective clothing and precautions are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Protective clothing includes gowns, gloves, masks, overshoes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of the individual in ensuring the maintenance of environment and product integrity is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the basic elements of microbiology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of organisms are described focusing on contamination and asepsis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Commonly occurring infections or contamination are described in relation to specific types of micro-organisms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Currently known high risk organisms are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    High risk organisms include organisms that are drug resistant, virulent strains, increased susceptibility.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain how microorganisms are contained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The differences between preventing and/or controlling the spread, and elimination of microorganisms are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ways in which micro-organisms can be prevented, controlled or eliminated in humans are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A range of methods to prevent, control or eliminate microorganisms in the environment are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Actions which may result in cross contamination are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply processes required to achieve asepsis or sterilization of products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ways in which micro-organisms can be controlled or eliminated when working with a range of products are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Special protective clothing is donned as required in different settings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various methods of achieving sterility are identified and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Range of products is sterilised using different methods working to instructions or standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Working with a product within an aseptic manner is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Implement quality assurance processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of quality assurance processes is explained within the context of the work environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate specimens are obtained and labelled for testing and quality assurance according to instruction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Special handling and storage requirements for a range of aseptic products are described in accordance with work instructions or standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Discrepancies (deviations) are noted and reported to an appropriately authorised person. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Corrective action is taken according to instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Data and processes are recorded according to quality assurance standards. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderators must be accredited and allocated by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Microbiology.
  • Infection and contamination.
  • Integrity of environment including PPE and grades. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work with others in a team.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Explain how microorganisms are contained.
  • Implement quality assurance processes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and ones activities.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Describe the principles of asepsis in the healthcare environment.
  • Apply processes required to achieve asepsis or sterilization of products.
  • Implement quality assurance processes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Describe the principles of asepsis in the healthcare environment.
  • Describe the basic elements of microbiology.
  • Explain how microorganisms are contained.
  • Implement quality assurance processes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of related systems.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  72050   Further Education and Training Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.