Mod 6 Flashcards
What is a SUD?
Single Use Device - it is an item that can only be used once and then gets disposed
What are the 4 principle methods of inhibiting growth/ destorying microscopic life forms?
- Sterilization
- Disinfection
- Sanitation
- Cleaning
Define sterilization
Sterilization destroys all microscopic life forms; is an absolute term meaning an object is either sterile or not sterile (no in between)
Define disinfection
Eliminates recognized pathogens but not all microbial forms. Usually applies to non living/ inanimate objects
Define antisepsis
Disinfection of tissue (skin or mucous membrane)
Define sanitation
Sanitation is the removal of pathogenic micro organisms from non living / inanimate objects by using mechanical or chemicals
Define cleaning
Cleaning is the removal of foreign material (like soil or body secretion). Often soap and water is used
Define the suffix “cidal”
Suffix means death; germicide - kills bacterial
Define the suffix “static”
It means that the micro organism is “frozen”/ halt in its present state; can no longer grow but is not killed (bacteriostatic)
What are the 3 major ways of sterilization in health care settings?
- Incineration
- Autoclave
- Ethylene Oxide
What objects/ equipments/ devices must be sterilized?
Objects/ equipment/ devices that comes into contact with sterile fluids or tissue or internal body
What is an effective way of terminal sterilization?
Incineration - material sterilized by incineration cannot be used again
How do autocalves work?
Autoclaves work by sterilizing objects/ equipment with steam under pressure and heat (sort of like a pressure cooker)
How long does it takes for an autoclave to sterilize?
15 minutes
What happens after the load gets sterilized in the autoclave?
The items are either removed immediately or is left to dry in the warm chamber
How do we check to see if the autoclave is sterile or not? How often is the sterility of an autoclave checked?
The sterility of an autoclave is checked using bacterial spores ; test results takes several of days; can also use a rapid autoreader . The tests are done daily/ weekly
How is ethylene oxide used as a sterilization method?
ETO is used as a gas sterilization method
What items can be sterilized with ethylene oxide?
Items that cannot withstand heat - like plastics
What is the down side of sterilizing with ethylene oxide (2 things)?
- Ethylene oxide sterilization method is slow and expensive
- Ethylene oxide is toxic to human tissue, so the items sterilized with ethylene oxide must be aerated before use
True or false, there is no one chemical that is the ideal disinfectant
True
Name 3 desirable properities of disinfectants
Broad spectrum, rapid action, non toxic, odorless, non destructive, residual action, user friendly, economical
What is Spaulding’s classification?
It is a classification system to determine the level of disinfectants required
In Spaulding’s Classification, there are 3 levels of disinfection. What are the 3 levels and define what they are
- Critical items - Items that come into contact with sterile tissue and must be sterile
- Semi - critical items - Items that come into contact with mucous membrane/ body surface; have to be free of pathogens but not sterile
- Non - critical items - Surfaces like counter tops, beds that come into contact with skin; should not have any bacteria on them
How are disinfectants classified?
Disinfectants are classified according to their level of germicidal action
What is the most resistance micro organism?
Bacterial spores
What are the 3 levels of disinfectants and what can they not kill?
- Low level disinfectant - cannot kill fungi, non lipid virus, tubercle bacilli and bacterial spores
- Intermediate level disinfectant - cannot kill non lipid virus and bacterial spores
- High level disinfectant - can kill all
What is an example of a low level disinfectant?
Detergents and soaps (detergent is a better wetting agent)
Name 4 examples of intermediate level disinfectants
- Alcohols
- Chlorine containing agents (bleach)
- Iodine / Iodophores
- Phenolic Componds
Give 2 examples of high level disinfectants
1.Glutaraldehyde (disinfectant time = 10 mins; sterilization time = 10 hours; must rinse with water before using)
2. Per oxygens
What are the 3 ways of mechanical disinfection?
- Pasteurization (killing micro organisms at moist heat and low temperature)
- Filtration
- Micro Fiber cloths
What cannot pasteurization not kill?
Spores
At what temperature and how much time is needed for pasteurization?
75 - 77 degree Celsius and for 30 minutes
What are the 2 types of filtration to remove micro organisms?
- Membrane filters - micro organisms get stuck on the surface of a thin filter with small pores
- HEPA - high efficiency particulate air filter - micro organisms gets remove as air travels through the filter
How do microfiber cloths remove micro organisms?
The are designed to trap micro organisms in the fibers (some have silver for antimicrobial properties)
What are 3 more ways of microbial control?
- UV Radiation
- Radiation (irradiation, microwave and strong visible light)
- Moist Heat (boiling) (10 minutes)
What is UV effective at inactivating?
UV is effective at inactivating viruses
What is resistant to UV?
Endospores
How long does it take for boiling water to destroy vegetative cells/ fungi/ protozoal parasites?
10 minutes
What does sepsis mean? What does aseptic mean?
Sepsis means infection. Aseptic means without infection
What is another terminology for aseptic technique?
Sterile technique
Where is the highest amount of microbes found?
In/ on people>moist areas>dry areas
Where is there the least amount of microbes?
In the air
What is another terminology for aspepsis technique?
Sterile technique
Mechanical
Destroys pathogens, but not spores. May be used for some tubing. Used for milk
Pasteurization
Mechanical
Used to remove micro-organisms from liquids such as pharmaceuticals
Membrane filters
Mechanical
Used to remove micro-organisms from air by trapping them on fibres
HEPA filters
Mechanical
Used to remove micro-organisms from surfaces by trapping them in fibres
Microfibre cloths
The sun is a natural souce. Used on surfaces such as those in the operating room. Does not pass through glass or plastic
UV light
Used to destroy pathogens in spices and on food (especially on meats)
Ionizing radiation
Uses water heated to 100 C. May not kill spores
Boiling water
Sterilization
Destroys pathogens but not spores. Maybe used for some tubing. Used for milk
Autoclave
Sterilization
Items are burned
Incineration
Sterilization
Good for heat sensitive plastics
Ethylene oxide
Chemical Disinfectant
Low level - good wetting agents
Soaps/ detergents
Chemical Disinfectants
Low level often used in combination with other products; might allow growth of gram negative organisms
Quats
Chemical Disinfectants
Intermediate level. Often used as a 70% concentration for skin antisepsis
Alcohols
Chemical Disinfection
High level - A liquid that may be used to sterilize heat sensitve items. Has toxic fumes. Must be rinsed off
Glutaraldehydes
Chemical Disinfection
High level - May be used to sterilized complex items such as endoscopes. Active ingredients are hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid
Peroxygens
Chemical Disinfection
Intermediate - Often used in disinfectant soaps. May be used in low concentrations such as oral rinse
Phenolics
Chemical Disinfection
Intermediate - Must be diluted and made fresh daily (1/10). May corrode metals. Good surface disinfectant
Chlorine/ bleach
Chemical Disinfection
Intermediate - Often used for the pre-operative skin disinfection, may be allergenic
Iodine
