Chapter 3 Flashcards
Define Sterilisation
The total destruction of all microbes (incl. bacterial spores, mycobacteria, nonenveloped viruses, and fungi). With the use of physical procedures or chemical agents.
What affects the efficacy of disinfectants?
What is being disinfected, number and resilience of the contaminating organisms, amount of organics material present (can inactivate disinfectant), type or concentration of disinfectant, and duration and temperature of exposure.
Define Antiseptic
Used to reduce the number of microbes on skin surfaces. These compounds are selected for their safety and efficacy
Define Disinfectant
Use of physical procedures or chemical agents to destroy most microbial forms; bacterial spores and other relatively resistant organisms (e.g., mycobacteria, viruses, fungi) may remain viable; disinfectants are subdivided into high-, intermediate-, and low-level agents
Define Germicide
Chemical agent capable of killing microbes; includes virucide, bactericide, sporicide, tuberculocide, and fungicide.
Define High-Level Disinfectant
A germicide that kills all microbial pathogens except large numbers of bacterial spores.
Define Intermediate-Level Disinfectant
A germicide that kills all microbial pathogens except bacterial endospores
Define Low-Level Disinfectant
A germicide that kills most vegetative bacteria and lipid-enveloped and medium-size viruses
List Physical Sterilants
Steam under pressure, Filtration, Ultraviolet radiation, Ionizing radiation
What is the concentration or level of steam under pressure?
121.C or 132.C for various time intervals
What is the concentration or level of filtration?
0.22- to 0.45um pore size; HEPA filters
What is the concentration or level of ultraviolet radiation?
Variable exposure to 254-nm wavelength
What is the concentration or level of ionising radiation?
Variable exposure to microwave or gamma radiation
List Gas Vapour Sterilants
Ethylene oxide, Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour, Plasma gas
What is the concentration or level of ionising radiation?
