MIIM - Sterilisation, Disinfection, and Infection Control - Week 8 Flashcards
Define aseptic technique.
Using procedures that minimise the transfer of micro-organisms.
Define infection control.
Involves the prevention or minimisation of cross infections.
Define cross infection (3).
The spread of micro-organisms from patient to staff, staff to patient, and patient to patient.
List 5 risk factors for spreading infection in an optometric setting.
Removing foreign bodies Assessing patients with ocular trauma or infection Carrying out lacrimal lavage Expressing glands and cysts Fitting contact lenses
Briefly mention some diseases that can be passed from patient to optometrist (13).
HIV Hepatitis B and C Measles Mumps Rubella Varicella Glandular fever Herpes Influenza Adenovirus 8 CJD
Define cleaning.
Removal of contaminating matter to lower the burden of organic material
Define disinfection.
Removing from an article some or all of its pathogenic micro-organisms
Define sterilisation.
Destruction or removal of all viable micro-organisms, spores, and other infectious agents from an article
Define and describe the three categories of the spaulding classification system.
Critical - invasive devices that enter normally sterile tissue or the vascular system by intent or accident
Semi-critical - device contacts, but does not penetrate, mucous membranes
Non-critical - device only contacts skin
Describe how to determine the initial contamination level of a sample.
Serially dilute the sample, spread on agar plates, incubate, and count colonies.
One colony represents one microbial cell.
Describe how to determine the rate of biocidal action on a given pathogen.
Determine initial viable count
Expose to the agent
Repeat viable counts
Calculate the decimal reduction time
Define decimal reduction time.
Time to reduce a population 10-fold at a particular temperature
Define sterility assurance.
The probability that a micro-organism could survive a sterilisation process
What is the relationship between the D-value and sterility assurance?
Descreasing linear
Define what is meant by biocidal. Is it reversible or irreversible?
Processes or agents that kill micro-organisms and are irreversible
Define what is meant by biostatic. Is it reversible or irreversible?
Processes or agents which inhibit microbial growth but are usually reversible.
Name 4 main methods used for sterilisation.
Heat
Filtration
Ionising radiation
Chemical agents
Differentiate between the effects of moist vs dry heat.
Moist heat coagulates
Dry heat oxidises
What is more effective, moist or dry heat? Describe why.
Moist heat is more effective.
When steam condenses, it liberates intense latent heat.
When would dry heat be used for sterilisation (6)?
Glass, metal, cutting instruments, powders, waxes, eye ointment bases
When would moist heat be used for sterilisation (2)?
Most non-heat sensitive instruments, decontamination of used articles
Name 4 advantages of dry heat.
Penetrates solids, usable on non-aqueous liquids, closed cavities, non-corrosive
Name 2 advantages of moist heat.
Rapid and effective
Name 3 disadvantages of dry heat.
Long times
Very high temperatures
Potentially very destructive
Name 2 disadvantages of moist heat.
Corrosive over time
Wets articles like wrappings
Briefly describe how an autoclave works.
Its like a pressure cooker.
Does filtration kill micro-organisms?
No, just removes them
By what two processes does filtration work?
A combination of adherence and exclusion
When are filters used?
For heat-sensitive liquids and air
Describe the structure of depth filters and what they are made of (3). Do they have good flow?
Maze-like fibrous sheet or mat
Can be made of paper, asbestos, or glass fibles
Has good flow