Sterilization and Disinfection Flashcards
Sanitization
a process that removes organic material and reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level
decontamination
the use of physical or chemical means to remove or destroy pathogens on an item
detergent
an agent that cleanses by emulsifying dirt and oil
disinfectant
an agent used to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, does not kill spores; generally applied to inanimate objects
spore
a hard, thick-walled capsule that some bacteria form by losing moisture and condensing their contents to contain only essential parts of the protoplasm of the cell
Examples of bacteria that form spores
clostridium botulinum and clostridium tetani
sterilization
the process of destroying all forms of microbial life including spores
sterile
free from all microorganisms and spores
autoclave
used to sterilize items in the medical office
HCS
Hazard Communication Standard
Purpose of HCS
-Required by OSHA, to ensure that employees are informed of the hazards of chemicals in the workplace
Hazardous chemical
any chemical that presents a threat to the health and safety of an individual that comes into contact with it
HCS states that employees have a right to know about
hazardous chemical in their workplace and precautions to protect themselves when working with it
HCS consists of the following components:
a. development of a hazardous communication program
b. inventory of hazardous chemicals
c. labelling requirements
d. material and safety data sheet requirements
e. employee information and training
Hazard Communication Program
- consists of a written plan: describes what the facility is doing to meet the requirements of HCS
- must be made available to all employees who work with hazardous chemicals
Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals
Required by HCS, employer must develop and maintain a list of hazardous chemicals, used and stored in the workplace.
List must include:
name of chemical, manufacturer, hazardous ingredients and health and safety ratings of chemical
- must be updated as new chemicals are acquired
Labeling of Hazardous chemicals
- manufacturer must label hazardous chemicals with a warning that it is dangerous
- must include: possible hazards of the chemical, steps to take to protect against risks, warnings to indicate physical and health hazards
Container Label requirements
- Name of chemical
- manufacturer/supplier information
- physical hazards of the chemical
- health hazards of the chemical
- safety precautions
- storing, handling and disposal of chemical
standards for MSDS
- provides more detailed information than container label on hazards of the chemical and measures to take to prevent injury or illness
- must be kept on file for each hazardous chemical used or stored
- must be readily accessible to employees
- manufacturers must provide MSDS with every hazardous chemical
Information that must be on MSDS
a. identification including: generic chemical name, brand name of chemical, manufacturer’s information, date the MSDS was prepared
b. composition of ingredients: list of ingredients in the hazardous chemical, exposure limits of each chemical
c. physical and chemical characteristics, such as: appearance and odor, boiling point, vapor pressure, odor threshold, pH level, melting/freezing point
d. fire and explosion data: the circumstances that may cause a fire or explosion, what to do if it occurs
e. reactivity data: substances and conditions from which the chemical should be kept away from to prevent a dangerous reaction
f. health hazard data: route of entry, skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, ingestion
g. emergency first aid procedures: identifies first aid measures to take if exposed to the chemical
h, precautions for safe handling and use
i. control measures: measures to use to avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals
Sanitization
series of steps to remove organic material and to reduce microorganisms to a safe level
Ultrasound method
ultrasonic cleaning, vibrations occur that loosen and remove debris
Guidelines for sanitizing instruments
- Wear utility gloves over disposable gloves
- handle instruments carefully: do not drop or throw into a basin, do not pile in a heap, keep sharp instruments separate
- follow instructions on labels of chemical agents
- use proper cleaning agent
- use proper cleaning devices
- inspect each instrument for defects and proper working condition
- lubricate hinged instruments
Disinfection
process of using chemical agents in destroying pathogenic microorganisms, does not kill spores
High level disinfection
- destroys all microorganisms with the exception of bacterial spores
- used for semicritical items such as sigmoidoscope
- ie. 2% gluteraldehyde or cidex
semicritical
comes in contact with nonintact skin, or intact mucous membranes
Cidex
a high level disinfectant that does not contain gluteraldehyde, less toxic and safer to handle
intermediate-level disinfection
inactivates tubercle bacilli, all vegetative bacteria, most viruses and fungi
- does not kill bacterial spores
- used for noncritical items such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs
ie. isopropyl alcohol
noncritical item
an item that comes in contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes
low-level disinfectant
- kills most bacteria, some viruses, does not kill resistant microorganisms or spores
- commonly used to disinfect work surfaces
ie. sodium hydrochloride, phenolics
alcohol
frequently used in medical office, intermediate to low level disinfectant
ie. ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol
Phenolics
used on walls, furniture, floors and laboratory work surfaces
Guidelines for disinfection
- sanitize articles before disinfecting them
- observe safety precautions
- properly prepare and use the disinfectant
- properly store the disinfectant
Sterilization
process of destroying all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores
-used to process critical items
critical items
an item that comes in contact with sterile tissue or the vascular system
Physical sterilization methods
- steam under pressure (autoclave)
- hot air (dry heat oven)
- radiation
Chemical sterilization methods
ethylene oxide gas and cold sterilization
Autoclave
uses steam under pressure to sterilize semicritical items
At what temperature does the autoclave begin to sterilize?
250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius
What is the measurement of pressure an autoclave operates at?
15 pounds per square inch
Sterilization in an autoclave consists of:
a. monitoring program
b. sanitizing articles
c. wrapping articles
d. operating the autoclave
e. handling and storing packs
f. maintaining the autoclave
Monitoring program of an autoclave
- recommended by CDC
- Consists of written policies for each step of the sterilization process
b. sterilization indicators to ensure minimum sterilization conditions have been achieved
c. records for each cycle are maintained in an autoclave log: date and time of cycle, description of load, exposure time, exposure temperature, results of sterilization indicator and initials of operator
Sterilization indicator
- purpose is to determine effectiveness of the sterilization procedure
- checks against: improper wrapping of articles, improper loading of autoclave, faulty operation of autoclave - an article is not sterile unless steam has penetrated to its center
- most reliable indicators check for attainment of proper temperature
b. duration of temperature - if indicator does not change properly
a. may be a problem in: sterilization technique or working condition of autoclave
ie. autoclave tape and chemical indicator
biological indicator
best means to determine effectiveness of sterilization, CDC recommends to use at least once a week
- each indicator contains 3 tests; each containing living bacterial spores in a small envelope
- placed in area least accessible to steam
- after exposure to steam indicators are processed
Wrapping articles for autoclave
purpose: to protect sterile articles from recontamination during handling and storage
-articles must be sanitized first
-wrapping material should allow steam to penetrate, prevent dust and microorganisms from reentering, does not tear or puncture easily
Different types of wrapping: sterilization paper, sterilization pouches, muslin
