Chapter 15 Flashcards
Pathogen
Microorganism capable of causing disease
Pathogens we are most concerned with
Hepatits, HIV, and tuberculosis
Breaking the chain of infection
Immunization
Sterilization
Sterilization plus disinfection
Block portal of entry
Direct contact
With pathogens can be achieved in saliva, blood, respiratory secretions, or lesions`
Indirect contact
Contaminated objects or instruments
Direct contact with airborne contaminants
Present in spatter or aerosols of oral and respiratory fluids
Chain of infections
A susceptible host
A pathogen with sufficient infectivity and numbers to cause infections
A portal through which the pathogen may enter the host
Universal/standard precaution
Treat everyone as is they are infectious
Antiseptic
Substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria
Asepsis
Absence of pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens
Present in the blood
Exposure incident
Specific incident that involves contact with blood or other infectious waste
Infectious waste
Water consisting of blood, contaminated sharps, or microbes
Occupational exposure
Exposure to contaminants during the function of performing the dental profession
Parental exposure
Exposure through piercing or puncturing the skin
Sharps
Needles, scalpels, anything sharp that may be contaminated
Disinfections
Use of chemical or physical procedures to REDUCE the pathogen number to an acceptable level
Spores may not be destroyed
Not for use on living tissue
High-level disinfectant
Chemical germicide inactivates spores, can be used on heat sensitive instruments
Intermediate level disinfectant
Does not destroy spores but it is tuberculocidal if hospital grade
Low level disinfectant
Can not destroy spores
Can not destroy TB bacilli
Sterilization
Total destruction of spores and disease producing micoorganisms
PPE
Protective clothing
Masks
Protective eyewear
Gloves
Critical objects
Penetrate soft tissues or bone (such as needles, forceps, scalers) must be sterilized or disposable
Semi-critical objects
Those that contact but do not penetrate must be sterilized by heat or chemical (mirrors, burrs, XCP)
Non-critcial objects
Do not come in contact with mucous membrane (lead apron, PID, ring of XCP) use an intermediate level disinfection
