Disinfection Principles

Question 1

– Disinfection

Answer 1

• Destruction of pathogenic microorganism or their
  toxin or vectors by direct exposure to chemical or
  physical agents

Question 2

• Sterilization

Answer 2

– Destruction of all microorganisms by:
* Steam
* Chemical agents
* Electron bombardment
* Ultraviolet radiation

Question 3

– Critical Items: What level of disinfection is used on these items?

Answer 3

• High level disinfection (Level 1)
• Instruments used inside the body
• (Surgical instrument; implants/prosthesis; needles)

Question 4

– Semi critical items: What level of disinfection is used on these items?

Answer 4

• Intermediate level disinfection (Level 2)
• Instruments used for mucous membranes (Respiratory, GI, GU)
• (Scopes)

Question 5

– Noncritical items: What level of disinfection is used on these items?

Answer 5

• Low Level Disinfection (Level 3)
• Used for items that contact the intact skin
• (OR furniture, BP cuff)

Question 6

– High level disinfection (Level 1): What items is this used to clean?

Answer 6

• Critical Items
• Kills most microorganism
• Used for critical items

Question 7

– Intermediate disinfection (Level 2): What items is this used to clean?

Answer 7

• Semi-critical items
• Kills most microorganisms, bacteria, viruses and fungi, MTB (mycobacterium tuberculosis), HBV (Hepatitis b) not spores and prions
• Used for Semi critical items

Question 8

– Low level Disinfection (Level 3): What items is this used to clean?

Answer 8

• Non critical items
• Most bacteria, some fungi and viruses, not effective against MTB
• Used for Noncritical items