Controlling Microbial Growth Lecture Flashcards
Nosocomial
health-care associated infections (HAIs)
hospitals are dangerous places because everyone there is sick, and that means that pathogens are more likely found in a hospital setting
Sterilization
removal or destruction of all microorganisms and viruses; a sterile item is free of microbes including endospores
Disinfection
elimination of almost all pathogens; some viable microbes may remain
Disinfectants
chemicals used on inanimate objects
Antiseptics
chemicals used on living tissues
List of hardest to easiest to kill
1) bacterial endospores
2) mycobacterrium species
3) pseudomonas species
4) run of the mill E.Coli
oh also non-enveloped viruses lack lipid envelop, which means they’re more resistant to disinfectants
Bacterial Endospores
most resistant, only extreme heat or chemicals can destroy them
Mycobacterium species
waxy cell walls makes them resistant to many chemical treatments; toughest vegetative cell to kill
think tuberculosis
Pseudomonas species
resistant to and can actually grow in some disinfectants because they use the carbon in it to grow
it’s Gram (-) rod and it’s multi drug resistant, respiratory infection, so be worried about burn patients because it’s easier for them to infiltrate the body tissues
Run of the mill E.Coli
typical vegetative cells
Critical Items
come into contact with body tissues, must be sterile
Semi-critical instruments
contact mucous membranes but do not penetrate body tissues; must be free of viruses and vegetative bacteria, any endospores blocked by mucous membranes (very delicate and where bacteria spreads)
Non-critical instruments and surfaces
contact unbroken skin only, low risk of transmission
ex: counterrops, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs
Spectrophotometer
basically the light reflects in the tube what bacteria is living in it, and it’s called optical density
it’s a quick way to create growth curve, but it doesn’t tell you how many cells are alive or dead; people usually use this and then do a CFU plate
