Dish the dirt Flashcards
What are the 6 stages in the chain of infection?
- Infectious agent
- Susceptible host
- Portal of entry
- Means of transmission
- Portal of exit
- Reservoirs
What is Spalding’s classification?
Is a judicious process to disinfection and sterilisation of medical equipment and instruments.
What are the 4 classifications of Spalding’s classification?
- Critical (high risk)
- Semi-critical (medium risk)
- Non-critical (low risk)
- Minimal risk
What is meant by the ‘critical’ risk of Spalding’s classification?
Items in contact with normally sterile body sites
What is meant by the ‘semi-critical’ risk of Spalding’s classification?
Items in contact with intact mucous membranes
What is meant by the ‘non-critical’ risk of Spalding’s classification?
Items in contact with intact skin
What is meant by the ‘ minimal ‘ risk of Spalding’s classification?
Items not normally in contact with intact skin
What are 2 examples of items that would be places into the ‘critical’ risk classification of Spalding’s classification?
- Forceps
- Periodontal scaler
What is an example of an item that would be placed into the ‘semi-critical’ risk classification of Spalding’s classification?
Dental handpiece e.g. mirror
What is an example of an item that would be placed into the ‘non-critical’ risk classification of Spalding’s classification?
Light cure
What is an example of an item that would be placed into the ‘minimal’ risk classification of Spalding’s classification?
Dental chair
What would the decontamination process be of low risk items (according to Spalding’s classification)?
Cleaned or chemically disinfected (e.g. disinfectant wipe )
What would the decontamination process be of minimal risk items (according to Spalding’s classification)?
Chemically disinfected in risk assessed circumstances
What are ‘housekeeping surfaces’?
- Non-critical environmental surfaces
- Not directly touched during dental treatment and carry the lowest risk of disease treatment
What are ‘clinical contact’ surfaces?
- Contaminated from patient materials either by direct spray or splatter generated during dental procedures OR
- By contact with gloved hands of dental health care personnel
How long can Influenza A&B survive on steel and plastic surfaces?
24-48 hours
How long can Influenza A&B survive on cloth, paper and tissues for?
<8-12 hours
How long can transmission occur between viruses from steel to hands?
over 24 hours
How long can transmission occur between viruses from paper tissue to hands?
for 15 mins
How long do viruses survive on hands?
For approx. 5 mins
What does body fluids which form surface films facilitate?
Bug attachment - charged organic soils more difficult to remove and protect bugs from dehydration
What is a common issue with surface cleaning?
The surface might look clean visually, but there can still be large numbers of bugs and residues
What is the definition of detergent?
A group of synthetic organic water soluble agents that have wetting agent, emulsifying and soil holding properties
What is the definition for disinfection?
- A process for the removal or destruction of microbes not usually including bacterial spores
- Quantitative definition: ability to produce a 5 log reduction in a defined bacterial population
What is a high level disinfectant?
- Kills all microbes (including mycobacteria) but not large numbers of bacterial spores
- Usually require longer contact time (hours)
What is a low level disinfectant?
- Kills most vegetative bacteria, some fungi and some viruses in a practical period of time (<10 mins)
