Pack Prep & Sterilization Flashcards
What do you call antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection?
Antiseptics
What do you call the state of being clean and conducive to health?
Sanitary
What do you call substances that are applied to inanimate objects to destroy microorganims that are living on the objects?
Disinfection
Disinfection does not kill all microorganisms - give one example?
Bacterial spores
Which is more effective - disinfection or sterilization?
Sterilization
What is a term used to refer to a process that eliminates or kills ALL forms of life?
Sterilization
This includes fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc.
When cleaning surgical instruments, what should be used for the initial cleaning?
Deionized or distilled water
This avoids excess salt build up and maintains a neutral pH
What do chemical sterilization indicators provide verification of?
That the inside of the pack was exposed to the appropriate sterilization temperature for the appropriate length of time (DOES NOT CONFIRM STERILITY)
What should the label of a pack include?
- Date
- Contents
- Operator
What does autoclave tape provide verification of?
That the outside of the pack was exposed to appropriate sterilization temperatures
What is the most common means of instrument and pack sterilization used in veterinary medicine?
Moist heat in the form of staurated steam under pressure
Which method of instrument and pack sterilization is no longer in use?
Ethylene oxide gas
This gas produces carcinogens
Which sterilization method can be used for heat sensitive items like cameras, arthroscopes, and laproscopes?
Cold chemical
Glutaldehyde or hydrogen peroxide
What are 3 disadvantages to the autoclave?
- Destroys fiber optic lens
- Dulls sharp instruments
- Can destroy plastics, rubber
What are the 2 types of sterilizers?
Pre-vacuum
Gravity displacement