4: Tools & Sanitization Flashcards
- What is Disinfection:
- the process of killing microorganisms by physical or chemical means
- disinfection kills a large percentage of bacteria, fungi, and fungal spores, reducing their presence to a level acceptable to hygienic practice.
- main drawback is it cannot kill spores
- There are different levels of disinfection. Describe Chemical Means:
- when choosing a disinfectant you will want a hospital grade, tuberculoidal disinfectant
- tuberculoidal means it can kill the TB bacillus which is one of the most difficult bacteria to destroy
- -look for disinfectants that are rust resistant otherwise your instruments will be damaged
- Picture chart : Mixing of Chlorine (Bleach):
Making a Solution for Disinfection
- What are antiseptics?
-will limit or reduce bacterial growth it they will not kill bacteria, spores, or viruses
-usually used on the skin because they are milder. (I.e alcohol)
-some can also be used as they are diluted to the right strength
—follow the manufacturers instructions regarding the dilution of disinfectants and antiseptics
-if excessively diluted it can actually feed bacteria instead of kill it
-using incorrect dilution can also stimulate the development of strains which are resistant to the disinfectant being used, thus causing future problems
-if antiseptics are used at a strength greater than recommended, they can cause chemical burning of the skin
*-the correct dilution of disinfection and antiseptic is therefore very important
- What is sterilization?
-the distruction of all micro organisms- bacterial, viral, and fungal forms including their spores
- Describe when to sterilize, disinfect or use antiseptic:
- to protect against bacteria, fungi, & fungal spores: use of disinfection procedures and antiseptics are sufficient
- if possibility of viruses or bacterial spores are present & thus needing to be destroyed: use of sterilization procedures must be followed
- What are the only viruses which the aesthetician will have to guard against are:
-those which are spread by blood to blood contact:
—hepatitis B (HBV)
—human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- How many sets of tools is it recommended to keep at one time?
- two or more sets of tools so that one set can be undergoing the sterilization process while the other set is in use
- other items which can become contaminated through their use on damaged tissue are cuticle sticks, files, cotton wool and tissues—all of which are disposable and mist be dispensed within the correct way after use or suspected contamination
- incidence of bacterial spores in a spa with rigorous and routine disinfection is very low
- What is pre-cleaning?
- whether items are to e sterilized or disinfected, they should be pre-cleaned by scrubbing in hot soapy water (itself a method of disinfection)
- a liquid soap should be used—hard soaps leave deposits, which may prevent follow-up processes from working properly
- Temperatures and pressures necessary to achieve sterilization with the Autoclave method are:
-15 minutes at 121 degrees Celsius (15 pounds per square inch or P.S.I)
OR
-3 minutes at 134s Celsius (32 P.S.I)
- it is possible to double check that the autoclave is achieving sterilization conditions
- Special TST control strips are available which can be placed in the autoclave at the start of its cycle
- strips have a yellow dot on them which turns purple when sterilization is complete
Approved methods of sterilization:
- Autoclave
- Dry heat sterilizer
- Chemical autoclave
- Chemical sterilizing agents
Methods that do not sterilize:
- Glass bead sterilizer
- Ultraviolet sterilizer
- Ultrasonic cleaner
- Pressure cookers and cooking ovens
- Microwaves
- Boiling water
Cleaning your instruments:
All instruments must be cleaned before disinfection or sterilization:
What is the Autoclave?
- is like a pressure cooker and uses a combo of hot steam and pressure to sterilize instruments
- If pressure is added to water, boiling point raises (water boils at 100 C under normal atmospheric pressure)
- it can be made to rise to temperatures that kill all microorganisms, their spores and viruses
What is the only type of Autoclave which can be safely used in a Spa environment?
- an electrical one which has a fully automatic cycle
- a measured amount of water is placed into the autoclave and pre washed tools are places on a rack above the water so that steam can circulate freely around them
- the lid is closed and the autoclave is switched on
- during use, the water boils breathing steam which forces air out of the pan through the valve
- when all the air has been expelled, this valves is closed
- pressure builds up inside the pan, which causes the temperature to rise
- when the sterilizing temperature has been reached, the automatic program maintains the temperature and pressure for the required length of time and then switches off the autoclave
- when the pressure returns to normal, the lid can be removed and the sterile articles taken out