Sterilization and Disinfection Flashcards
What is disinfection? Sterilization?
DISINFECTION = reduction or destruction of most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects
STERILIZATION = elimination of all microbes on an inanimate object
What is a disinfectant? Antiseptic? Sterility?
DISINFECTANT = chemical agent that reduces microbial load on inanimate objects
ANTISEPTIC = chemical agent that reduce microbial load/inhibit growth of microbes on living/animate objects
STERILITY = absence of all forms of microbial life on inanimate objects
Which words should be paired together?
- antiseptic
- disinfectant
- animate object
- inanimate object
antiseptic —> animate object
disinfectant —> inanimate object
What are some things considered low-level contamination areas in a hospital? High-level contamination areas?
LOW-LEVEL: reception desks, offices, walls, doors
HIGH-LEVL: kennels/housing, exam tables, operating tables/floors
What is the point of cleaning before disinfecting?
clears soiled objects so that the disinfectant can reach any microorganisms
(cleaning doesn’t deactivate microbes)
What 4 things should be thought about when selecting a disinfectant?
- What level of disinfection is required?
- Is it compatible to the item you want disinfected?
- Is it user friendly?
- Is it cost effective?
What are the 3 levels of sterility and disinfection? What equipment needs this kind of cleanliness?
- CRITICAL: equipment or implants entering the body, sterile tissue, cavity, or bloodstream that must be STERILE; surgical instruments, implants, suture material, and catheters
- SEMICRITICAL: equipment that comes in contact with skin or mucous membranes without penetrating body or cavity that must be cleaned and disinfected, along with terminal sterilization later; colonoscopes, endoscopes, endotracheal tubes, anesthetic equipment, vaginoscope
- NONCRITICAL: equipment that comes in contact with intact skin or mucous membranes but is not directly associated with surgery and should be disinfected but doesn’t require particular handling between patients and terminally cleaned later; laryngoscope, stethoscope, ultrasound probe, BP cuffs, ECG leads, pulse oximeters, exam tables
What are the 4 most common disinfectants and antiseptics used in veterinary medicine? How do they work against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores?
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA): kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses, spores are resistant
POVIDONE-IODINE (PVI): kills bacteria (fast), fungi, viruses, and spores
CHLOROHEXIDINE GLUCONATE (CHG): kills bacteria (fast), works poorly against fungi and viruses, spores are resistant
ALCOHOL-BASED SOLUTIONS: tend to work across the board
Disinfectants and Antiseptics:
Is isopropyl alcohol a disinfectant or antiseptic? What activity does it have? How is its residual activity?
disinfectant and antiseptic
bactericidal/bacteriostatic at lower concentrations, kills many fungi and viruses
minimal - it does not last long and evaporates quickly
How does IPA compare to PVI and CHG? When is it most helpful?
less effective than both
removing excess lipids on the skin prior to surgery
Is povidone-iodine a disinfectant or antiseptic? What activity does it have? What is its residual activity?
disinfectant and antiseptic
bactericidal, fungicidal, effective against viruses, sporicidal with 15 mins of contact
minimal
What part of veterinary medicine uses a lot of PVI? What tends to lower its effectiveness?
large animal medicine
in the presence of organic material (when used on dirty patients)
What are the different concentrations of PVI used?
0.1-1% solution for wound management
5% scrub/solution for eye care
10% scrub/solution for surgical prep
Is cholorhexidine gluconate a disinfectant or antiseptic? What activity does it have? What is its residual activity like?
antiseptic
bactericidal (G+ > G-), minimal against viruses and fungi, not sporocidal
lasts longer due to keratin binding and is not inactivated by organic debris, alcohol, or soaps
What concentrations of CHG are used?
0.05% solution for wound management
4% scrub/solution for surgical prep
Are alcohol-based solutions disinfectants or antiseptics? How does it activity compare to the other solutions? How does its residual activity compare?
antiseptics
superior antimicrobial activity than PVI, CHG, or IPA alone
more than alcohol alone
How are alcohol-based solutions applied to the patient? What are 3 common types and their concentrations?
one-step, scrubless application; then dry
- ChloraPrep: 2% CHG, 70% IPA
- ACTIPREP: 83% ethanol, zinc pyrithione
- DuraPrep: PVI, 74% IPA
What is the absolute state of sterilization?
nothing is almost or “sort of” sterile, it either is or isn’t
You can _____ without _______, but you can’t…..
clean; sterilization
sterilize without thorough cleaning