Ch.9 Instrument Preparation, Antisepsis and Disinfection Flashcards
How long does Staphylococci live on scrubs - 60% cotton 40% polyester blend
1- 19 days
How long can Stephylococci and enterococci live on pure polyester
> 90 days
How should surgical clothing be washed to remove significant quantities of microorganisms according to the US Centres for Disease Control
160F/70C
50-150 ppm chlorine bleach
How should surgical clothing be washed to remove significant quantities of microorganisms according to the European Norm BS EN
80C for at least 10mins
or
60C for 60 mins - without reuse of the rinsing water
What does sterilisation refer to
Complete destruction
or elimination of
vegetative bacteria,
bacterial spores,
viruses and fungi
by physical or chemical methods.
Disinfection refers to
Many or all microorganisms are eliminated except bacterial spores
Disinfectants
Applied to inanimate objects
May be toxic to living tissue
The efficacy of disinfection and sterilisation is influenced by
- Organic/inorganic load present
- Instrument type
- Level of contamination
- Presence of biofilm
- Material of the object
- Concentration and exposure time of the chemical
- Temp & pH of the disinfection process
Critical items - definition, cleaning process, example
Definition: Penetrate the soft tissues, enters or contacts the bloodstream/sterile tissue.
Process: Clean, Disinfect, Sterilize
Example: All surgical instruments
SemiCritical items - definition, cleaning process, example
Definition: Contact mucous membranes or non intact skin, does not enter bloodstream/sterile tissue.
Process: Clean, High level Disinfect
Example: Endotracheal tubes, endoscopes
NonCritical items - definition, cleaning process, example
Definition:Contact skin but not mucous membranes
Process: Clean, Disinfect
Example: Stethoscope
Final processing of instruments should be performed within what time frame
6 hours
How does increasing water hardness affect cleaning of instruments
Reduces the effectiveness of blood removal in cold water prewashes
What is an acceptable alternative to manual cleaning
Prerinsing in an enzymatic cleaner
Some only req 2-10mins contact time
mjority need 30-45 at room temp
Advantages of Hydrox
Combines cleaning with microbial killing
This protects health care workers from infectious risks and reduces bioburden on instruments
Ideal pH of detergent solution
Neutral
Best material compatibility
Good soil removal
What should instruments be rinsed with after cleaning
Deionised water
Which has been shown to be more effective, automated cleaners or manually cleaning
Automated
How do ultrasonic cleaners work
High frequency vibratory waves which clean through cavitation and implosion
Waves of acoustic energy are propagated in aquous solution.
Disrupts air pockets ensuring thorough wetting
What must be done with the instrumenst following ultrasonic cleaning
Rinsed with demineralized water
Why is rinsing of instruments after cleaning essential
Cleaning fluid could result in endotoxin contamination of surgical instruments which may cause severe inflammatory rxns in tissues
Does ultrasonic cleaning provide any antimicrobial activity
No but it can act synergistically to increase bactericidal efficacy of a disinfectant
How do automated washer disinfectors disinfect instruments
Heat disinfection
Automated washer disinfector run through
- Cold rinse
- Main clean - product neutralization - 55C
- Rinse
- Disinfect - 90-93C for 5 mins
- Dry cycle
For a machine connected to tapwater with a hardness of 25 and incoming temp of 15c the cycle would take 54mins