Antiseptics and Disinfectants Flashcards
Sterilization
The actor process that destroys or eliminated all forms of life, especially microorgs including spores
Disinfection
Killing of pathogenic organisms by direct application of physical or chemical agents
Antiseptics
Destroy or inhibits the growth of microorgs in or on living tissue (handwashes, sx scrubs)
Disinfectants
Eliminate or reduce harmful/pathogenic microorgs (except spores) from inanimate object surfaces
Cleansers
Cleans or removes dirt or debris (surfactants and detergents)
Prior to dinfection or antisepsis tx (soap or germicide)
Soap
Emulsify and solubilize hydrophobic firt, fat and protoplasmic membrane
NOT a germicide
Germicide
Agent that destroys microorgs, especially pathogenic organisms
Resistant levels
Low-level: bacteria
Intermediate level: Fungi
High-level: bacterial spores
Critical items
Enter or penetrate the skin or mm- must be sterilized
Scalpel, sx instruments, needles
Semi-critical tems
Touch intact mm
Catheters, endoscopes (high level)
Non-critical items
Don’t touch mm but may contact the skin
Cages, tables, food bowels (low to intermediate level)
Chlorine Compounds
Low to intermediate level disinfectants
Sodium hypochlorite (Dakin’s Solution) and Organic chlorides (chloramine-T)
Chlorine compounds MOA
Release of free chlorine and formation of HOCl from water
Acidic pH will enhance activity
Chlorine compound uses
Sanitation: dairy equipment, animal housing, hospital floor, non-critical items
Chlorine compounds limitations
Corrosive to metals, destroys fabrics
Unstable to light
Inactivated by the presence of blood
Irritates mm
Strong irritating odor
Hypochlorite containing disinfectants
Effective in killing dermatophyte Microsporum canis
Water soluble chlorine compounds
Used in water disinfection and poultry processing to control Salmonella
Iodine compounds
Low to intermediate-level biocidal activity
Free iodine (germicidal) insoluble in water