Infection Control Flashcards
Sterilization
Elimination of virtually all microbes including spores
- inanimate objects
- chemical and heat
disinfection
Elimination of virtually all recognized pathogens, but not spores
-inanimate objects
antisepsis
Elimination of virtually all recognized pathogens, but not all
-living tissue
sanitization
Mechanical removal of microbes and debris
-inanimate objects
degermination
Mechanical removal of microbes and debris
-living tissue
Aseptic
free of virtually all recognized pathogens
-living
Decontaminated
Reduce pathogens to “safe” level
-inanimate
levels of microbe resistance from highest to lowest
Endospores - mycobacterium - protozoa - gram neg bacteria - non-enveloped virus - gram pos bacteria - enveloped virus
what is the base of spaulding classification
for devices according to risk of transmission
Critical
Penetrates soft tissue, bone, can enter blood stream or tissue
*heat sterilize or single use
Semi-critical
Contact mucous membrane, non-intact skin, will not penetrate tissue or contact blood
- Heat sterilize or high level disinfect
non-critical
Does not oridinarily touch the patient or makes contact with intact skin
*clean and disinfect using low level disinfectant
process of sterilization
Heat sterilization or high level disinfect (long time, high concentration)
High level disinfection
High level disinfectant
Intermediate level disinfection
Hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal claim
