Decontamination Flashcards
it is the cleansing of objects or substances
decontamination
it is when you remove soil and pathogenic microorganisms from objects for safe use and handling
decontamination
what are the things u should decontaminate?
- potentially infectious material before disposal
- equipment & work surfaces
what are the 4 things you should remember when you decontaminate?
you decontaminate:
1. with proper disinfectant for the agent
2. after spills or contamination
3. when work is finished
4. equipment before removal from the blood
what are the four levels of decontamination?
- sterilization
- disinfection
- antisepsis
- cleaning
it is the highest level of decontamination
sterilization
it eliminates all forms of life including spores
sterilization
it is less lethal, and it eliminates nearly all but not all spores
disinfection
it is the application of liquid antimicrobial chemicals to skin or living tissue to inhibit or destroy micro-organisms. It only eliminates BACTERIA
antisepsis
it involves water, detergent, and some mechanical action, such as scrubbing with gloved hands and brushes
cleaning
enumerate the different types of decontamination for living tissues
chemical
thermal
radiation
filtration
what is the most effective chemical for chemical decontamination?
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Benzalkonium Chloride)
it is a chemical that gives an emulsifying effect because of detergent product attacking the cell wall of cells
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Benzalkonium Chloride)
give five chemicals used for chemical decontamination:
any of the following:
-halogens
-aldehydes (formaldehydes, gluteraldehydes)
-phenols
-alcohols
-acids & alkalis
-oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide)
-Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Benzalkonium Chloride)
-biguanides (chlorhexidine)
enumerate the factors affecting disinfection
- number of microorganisms
- location of microorganisms
- innate resistance to disinfectant
- product factors
- surface topography
- biofilm
- concentration and potency of disinfection
- physical & chemical factors
- appropriate contact time
what are the two types of resistance?
Intrinsic resistance
acquired resistance
what type of resistance is natural
intrinsic resistance
what type of resistance involves genetic changes and the use of disinfection at sublethal levels
acquired resistance
what is that thing gram-negative (-) bacteria have that makes them not die from disinfectants?
lipopolysaccharides
it considers the age of the product or solution, method of application (spray or wipe), rate of application, & storage condition
product factors
about cracks and crevices that needs to be repaired
surface topography
microbial communities
biofilm
refers to the temperature, ph, relative humidity, & water hardness
physical and chemical factors
what is the appropriate time for surface disinfection?
1 minute
