Infection Control Standards

Question 1

Alcohol based hand rub

Answer 1

The alcohol containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the US most contain 60-95% ethanol or isopropanol. These don’t remove soil but can be used for hand antisepsis

Question 2

Antiseptic

Answer 2

A germicide used on skin or living tissue to inhibit or destroy microorganisms. The chemicals and concentrations used for antisepsis are not typically the same as those used for disinfection; therefore, antiseptic products are not appropriate in any instance for use in cleaning or disinfecting inanimate substances. Regulated by the FDA

Question 3

Aseptic technique

Answer 3

Term used to describe the precautionary measures taken to help reduce the risk of post treatment infections by decreasing the opportunity of microorganisms to enter the body. Procedures help to reduce the risk of the electrologists exposure to pathogens. Examples include appropriately timed hand washing, disinfection/sterilization of inanimate surfaces or instruments, appropriate use of PPE, etc

Question 4

Autoclave (steam sterilizer)

Answer 4

A vessel used for sterilization by application of saturated steam under pressure and heat. Devices are regulated by the FDA

Question 5

Biological indicator

Answer 5

Commercially prepared device with a known population of highly resistant bacterial spores used to test the method of sterilization being monitored. The indicator is used to demonstrate that conditions necessary to achieve sterilization were met during the cycle being monitored. Biological indicators are regulated by the FDA

Question 6

Chemical indicator

Answer 6

The item used to monitor certain parameters of a heat sterilization process by means of a characteristic color change, usually chemically treated paper strips. Does not indicate sterilization has been achieved and most indicate that only that temperature needed has been attained. Regulated by the FDA

Question 7

Cleaning

Answer 7

The removal of all visible residual material from objects using friction, detergent and water to remove organic debris. Thorough cleaning is an absolute must prior to disinfection and sterilization procedures

Question 8

Contaminated

Answer 8

The presence of potentially infectious pathogenic microorganisms on animate or inanimate objects

Question 9

Critical items

Answer 9

Instruments or objects that will come in direct contact with the bloodstream or other normally sterile areas of the body. Critical items must be either pre sterilized and disposable or subjected to sterilization before use

Question 10

Decontamination

Answer 10

Use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy pathogens on a surface or item so that they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal

Question 11

Disinfectant

Answer 11

Chemical agent used on hard inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily their spores. Chemical disinfectants are classified as “high level”, “intermediate level”, and “low level” according to their comparative levels of potency and intended uses, but not as a final step in reprocessing of instruments

Question 12

Disinfection

Answer 12

A procedure that reduces the level of microbial contamination. There is a broad range of activity that extends from sterility at one extreme to a minimal reduction in the number of microbial contaminants at the other

Question 13

High level disinfection

Answer 13

Disinfection process that inactivates some, but not necessarily all, bacterial spores. This powerful process will also kill M. tuberculosis var. bovis as well as other bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Minimum recommended by the CDC in guidelines for the reprocessing of semi critical instruments or devices.

Question 14

Intermediate level disinfection

Answer 14

Process capable of killing M. tuberculosis var. bovis but not bacterial spores. Regulated by EPA. When using tuberulocidal disinfectant you will also inactivate organisms with lesser degree of intrinsic resistance such as vegetative bacteria and fungi as well as viruses such as hep B and HIV. Examples include alcohol 70-90%, chlorine compounds and certain phenolic or iodophor preparations depending on formula

Question 15

Low level disinfection

Answer 15

Process capable of inactivating most bacteria, some viruses and fungi but not bacterial spores or tuberculosis. Examples include quats and some phenolics. Regulated by EPA and appropriate for disinfecting environmental or medical equipment (non instrument) surfaces

Question 16

Dry heat sterilizer

Answer 16

A forced air oven type device specifically designed to sterilize items by exposure to high temps for designated exposure periods. Dry heat sterilizes are regulated by the FDA

Question 17

Electrology/electroepilation

Answer 17

The procedure of using a needle with electrolysis, thermolysis or blended currents for permanent hair removal

Question 18

Environmental surfaces

Answer 18

Includes surfaces in the Electrology treatment room which may potentially contribute to cross contamination by hands of the electrologist or by contact with instruments that will subsequently come into contact with clients. These surfaces should be properly maintained to minimize their potential role in disease transmission

Question 19

Enzyme detergent

Answer 19

Helps break down organic soils and fats and suspends particles during cleaning. Used as a soaking solution for critical and non critical instruments and as the detergent used in the ultrasonic device. Temperature and dilution affect the efficacy of enzyme detergents

Question 20

Epilator cords

Answer 20

Insulated plastic covered cords used to complete current circuit between the epilator and the epilator needle or the indifferent electrode. Epilator cords are non critical items

Question 21

Forceps

Answer 21

The instrument or tweezer used in Electrology treatments to lift the hair from the follicle. Not intended to be critical items but may come into contact with blood, Serum, or other material and should be sterile when used

Question 22

Gloves

Answer 22

Coverings for the hands made of various materials which provide a protective barrier against infections and toxic substances. There are 3 types used by electrologists. Nonsterile, medical grade patient exam gloves; food handler gloves; and general purpose heavy duty reusable (rubber household) gloves

Question 23

Non sterile, medical grade, patient exam gloves

Answer 23

Made of natural rubber or latex or synthetic material. Worn during Electrology treatments and cleaning procedures to provide a barrier to prevent exposure to potentially infectious materials and other contaminants. Medical grade gloves are regulated by the FDA

Question 24

Food handler gloves

Answer 24

May be worn as a protective disposable barrier over exam gloves during treatment interruption to prevent contamination from touching objects such as drawer and door knobs, phones, computer keyboards, pens and charts. Not worn for treatment or decontamination procedures. Over gloves discarded after each use

Question 25

General purpose, heavy duty, reusable, puncture resistant utility gloves

Answer 25

Rubber household gloves. Housekeeping chores such as instrument cleaning and decontamination procedures that involve potential contact with blood. Washed and dried with each use. Not promoted for medical use so they’re not regulated by the FDA

Question 26

Hand hygiene

Answer 26

General term that applies to: hand washing, antiseptic handwash, antiseptic hand rub, surgical hand antisepsis

Question 27

Hospital disinfectant

Answer 27

Chemical germicide with label claims for effectiveness against salmonella, staph, and pseudomonas. May be classed as either low level or intermediate level in their spectrum of activity as indicated by label claims. Regulated by EPA and are appropriate for environmental or medical device surfaces but not as a final step in reprocessing of medical instruments

Question 28

Indifferent electrode

Answer 28

The stainless steel bar held by the client during Electrology treatments to complete circuit with galvanic/electrolysis modality or with the use of a timer delay switch in automatic delivery epilators. Non critical items

Question 29

Instruments

Answer 29

Tools or devices designed to perform a specific function, such as grasping, holding, or retracting

Question 30

Intact skin

Answer 30

Skin in which the natural protective barrier has not been altered by infection or trauma

Question 31

Latex allergy

Answer 31

A systemic or local allergic response to various latex proteins to which the individual has been sensitized

Question 32

Mechanical/visible indicators

Answer 32

Monitoring devices built into a sterilizer, such as indicating thermometers, recording thermometers, pressure gauges and automatic controls which are used to assist in identifying and preventing malfunctions and operational errors and for record keeping purposes

Question 33

Needle

Answer 33

The wire filament which is inserted into the hair follicle for application of current in Electrology. Needles used in Electrology are not intended to be critical items, but may come in contact with blood, Serum, or other material and should be sterile when used

Question 34

Non critical items

Answer 34

Instruments or environmental surfaces that will come into contact only with intact skin. If properly cleaned and maintained these surfaces carry relatively little risk of transmitting infection directly or indirectly to clients

Question 35

Non intact skin

Answer 35

Skin in which there is a break in the skin’s natural integrity (exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis)

Question 36

Packaging

Answer 36

Generic term meant to include all types of containment, such as woven or non woven wraps, paper or film pouches or rigid container systems

Question 37

Pathogen

Answer 37

A microorganism or substance capable of producing a disease

Question 38

Parenteral

Answer 38

Means of piercing mucous membranes or skin barrier through such events as needle sticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions

Question 39

Phoresis rollers

Answer 39

Stainless steel rollers used to apply current to skin before or after Electrology treatment phoresis rollers are not intended to be semi critical instruments but may come into contact with non intact skin so they should be sterilized or exposed to high level disinfection

Question 40

Plain soap

Answer 40

Detergent base cleaner without antimicrobial additives used for the primary purpose of physical removal of dirt and transient microorganisms. Soap is used in hand washing to suspend microorganisms and allows them to be rinsed off

Question 41

Protective disposable barriers

Answer 41

A disposable, moisture resistant covering which reduces the potential for contaminating environmental or medical device surfaces that may be difficult or inconvenient to clean and disinfect routinely. E.g. Tables and pillows or hard to clean surfaces such as light handles and epilator surfaces

Question 42

Reprocessing

Answer 42

The process of cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing a reusable instrument that has been used or contaminated in order that it be made safe for its intended use

Question 43

Semi critical items

Answer 43

Instruments that may come into contact with mucous membranes and non intact skin but do not ordinarily penetrate body surfaces. Semi critical items require sterilization or exposure to high level disinfection

Question 44

Sharps container

Answer 44

Specially manufactured and labeled, leak proof, rigid, puncture resistant, durable plastic container into which needles are placed after use and designed to be disposed of as an item of regulated medical waste

Question 45

Sterility assurance file

Answer 45

The record containing the sterilizer maintenance and use log and culture report from each biological monitor

Question 46

Sterilization

Answer 46

The process which destroys all forms of microbial life. The recommended methods of sterilization of instruments and items used in the practice of Electrology are the dry heat sterilizer or the autoclave. These methods are standardized and can be routinely monitored for effectiveness

Question 47

Tips for epilator needle

Answer 47

Cap or plastic tip that surrounds the base of the needle and covers the pin device where the needle shank is seated. Non critical items but may come into contact with blood so they should be cleaned and treated with an intermediate level disinfectant before use

Question 48

Treatment room

Answer 48

The operators where Electrology treatments are performed

Question 49

Ultrasonic cleaner

Answer 49

The processing unit using ultrasonic waves transmitted through the cleaning solution in a mechanical process known as cavitation. The sound waves produce tiny air bubbles on the instrument surfaces which scrub particles from the solid surfaces. Helpful in removing debris from hard to reach places