Determination Terminology Flashcards
Antiseptic
An inorganic chemical compound, which combats microorganisms on living tissue inactive by preventing or arresting their growth without necessarily killing them. Resistant strains may not be affected.
Cart Washer
Equipment used to clean and sanitize metal surgical case carts, supply carts, and, with special loading racks, rigid sterilization containers and surgical instruments.
Case Cart
Distribution and Inventory handling system that provide supplies for specialty areas e.g. OR, labor and delivery, cardiac laboratory
Caustic
Able to burn or destroy living tissue by chemical action.
Cavitation
Process employed by ultrasonic cleaner that causes bubbles to implode and dislodge soil from instrument’s.
Centigrade (Celsius)
Temperature scale between the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water.
Chelating Agent
Chemical that prevents soap or detergent from reacting with minerals in hard water; water softener.
Cleaning
Removal of all visible dirt, soil, and foreign matter to the extent necessary for further processing or intended use.
Contamination
Introduction of microorganisms to a sterile field.
Detergent – Disinfectant
Combined cleaning agent and disinfectant
Disease
Pathological condition of the body that presents a group of clinical signs and symptoms.
Disinfectant
Chemical that destroys most microorganisms, excluding spores on inanimate objects.
Disinfection
Destruction of most microorganisms, excluding spores, on inanimate objects. Chemical or physical process of destroying most forms of pathogenic microorganisms except bacterial spores; used for inanimate objects.
Disposable
Item manufactured to be used only once and then discarded.
Distill
To vaporize by heat and collect the distillate
Distilled Water
Water that has been heated to the boiling point vaporized to remove nonvolatile impurities, cooled, condensed into a liquid condensate, and collected so that no impurities are reintroduced. ANSI/AAMI ST79
Environmental Disinfection
Destruction of most microorganisms, excluding spores, on inanimate objects.
Enzyme Detergent
Organic substance that assists with the breakdown of blood and protein soils.
Ergonomics
Physical capabilities in relation to various types of work
Ethylene Oxide
Chemical agent used to sterilize heat-, pressure-, or moisture-sensitive items.
External or Internal Indicator Strip
Chemically impregnated paper that changes color verifying exposure to a sterilization process
Flash Sterilization
Sterilization method now known as immediate-use steam sterilization (USS). See immediate-use Steam Sterilization.
Fomite
Inanimate Object that serves as a transmission agent for microorganisms.
Ionize
To separate into ions, particles that carry an electric charge
Latex
Common form of rubber used to produce various medical supplies
Leak Testing
Method of verifying the integrity of the outer sheath of flexible endoscope
Lipid
Fat or fat-like substance that is insoluble in water
Lipolytic
Capable of breaking down fats.
Sterile
Absence of all microorganisms including mold spores.
Sterilization
The process of killing all pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.
Types of Sterilization
- Steam Sterilization
- Ethylene Oxide (gas) Sterilization
- Hydrogen Peroxide (Sterrad) sterilization
Steam Sterilization
Steam under pressure elevated to an appropriate temperature for recommended length of time will render items sterile.
Indicator strip will change to dark color when processed.
Ethylene Oxide (Gas) Sterilzation
Gas capable of penetrating most known substances rendering them sterile: Used for items that are heat-and moisture-sensitive. Indicator strip will change to green color when processed.
Hydrogen Peroxide (Sterrad) Sterilization
Low Temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma that i scapable of penetrating most known substances, rendering them sterile: Used for items that are heat-and moisture-sensitive. Indicator strip will change to orange color when processed.
