Infection Control Flashcards
Ambient
- the immediate surroundings of something.
Antiseptic
- relating to or denoting substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms
Autoclave
– steam sterilizer
Bactericidal
- a substance which kills bacteria
Delaminate
- to change the vital functions
Denaturation
– to change the vital functions forces and activities of an organ
Disinfectant
– agent that kills microorganism except spores
Germicide
- agent that destroys harmful microorganisms (germs)
Ionizing radiation
– method of sterilization using radiation as cobalt 60
Lumen
– space within a tube
Saturated steam
– steam that contains the maximum amount of water vapor
Bioburden
- the number of bacteria living on a surface that has not been sterilized.
Sporicidal
– agent capable of killing spore forming organisms
Terminal decontamination
– process of rendering all articles free of pathogens at the end of an operative procedure
Terminal Cleaning
done after the last OR case
. Wipe down of ceilings, floors including OR lights
. OR tables
. OR furniture
. Sub sterile room, scrub area, hallway
Ultrasonic cleaner
– cleaning machine used in the process that uses ultrasound to agitate a fluid container and its contents
Antisepsis
– the process of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms; used on animate objects
Per acetic acid
- organic compound can be used as a bleaching agent (Steris)
Plasma sterilization
–used for moisture-and heat sensitive devices, such as cameras, scopes and light cords(Sterrad)
Shelf life
- the length of time for which an item remains usable, fit for consumption, or saleable
Sterilants
– an agent used to destroy microorganisms in an inanimate object
Sterilizer
– equipment or chamber used to attain physical or chemical sterilization
Differences between;
Sterilization & Antisepsis
Sterilization. - The process destroying all microorganisms including spore bearing ones (used on inanimate objects)
Disinfection. - The process of destroying all microorganisms except spore bearing ones (used on inanimate objects)
Antisepsis. - The process of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms (used on animate objects)
Frequent methods of sterilization
a) Steam under pressure (Autoclave)
b) Ethylene oxide (EO)
c) Activated glutaraldehyde (Cidex)
d) Plasma (Sterrad)
e) Gravity displacement
f) Pre-vacuum
g) Per acetic acid (Steris)
h) Ionizing radiation
i) Ozone gas
j) Chlorine gas
k) Vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP)
Factors that affect the steam sterilization process
- Temperature
- Time
- Humidity
- Concentration of the sterilizing agent
- Penetrating ability of the sterilizing agent
Principles of steam sterilization
I. Microorganisms are destroyed through a process of denaturalization and coagulation within the cell
II. Steam is the preferred method because it is the least expensive, most efficient and safest for processing heat and moisture stable instruments.
III. Water is heated and converted to steam
IV. Water is submitted in the chamber to increasing pressure witch increases the temperature
V. In the gravity displacement sterilizer, the steam drives the air out of the bottom of the chamber. Steam permeates to all areas of the instrument and sterilizes it
Glutaraldehyde (CIDEX)
(High Level Disinfectant )
- Liquid Disinfectant / sterilants
- Kills microbes by attacking cell protein
- Used on instruments that can withstand complete immersion and heat sensitive instruments
- 20 min – disinfection/ 10 hrs – sterilization
- Items must be thoroughly washed/dried/rinsed
- Cold sterilizer
Sodium Hypochlorite (household bleach)
- Used for surfaces, floors and equipments
- Not used in instruments (highly corrosive)
- Harmful to the skin
Phenol (Carbolic Acid)
(Intermediate Level Disinfectant)
- Destroys bacteria through denaturation and coagulation of proteins
- Used as a general cleaning agent (floors, countertops, toilets)
- Economical
- Limited use on non critical items
- Extremely irritating to the skin and mucous membranes