Terminology Flashcards

1
Q

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentstion (AAMI)

A

The AAMI is an authoritative source of standards for sterilization and disinfection

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2
Q

Antisepsis

A

A process that greatly reduces the number of microorganisms on skin or other tissue

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3
Q

Bactericidal

A

Able to kill bacteria

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4
Q

Bacteriostatic

A

Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria

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5
Q

Biofilms

A

Dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces. Biofilms, which are resistant to chemical disinfectants and scrubbing, are a matrix of extra cellular polymers produced by microorganisms. These substances bind the microorganisms tightly to a living or nonliving surface, making them highly resistant to antimicrobial action

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6
Q

Biological indicator

A

A quality control mechanism used in the process of sterilization. It consists of a closed system containing harmless, spore forming bacteria that can be rapidly cultured after the sterilization process

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7
Q

Case cart system

A

A method of receiving clean and sterile equipment and preparing it for transportation to a central decontamination area. All equipment is contained within a covered movable storage cart

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8
Q

Cavitation

A

A process in which air bubbles are imploded releasing particles of soil or tissue debris

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9
Q

Central processing department

A

The area of the hospital where medical devices and equipment are processed; also called central surgical supply or the surgical processing department

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10
Q

Central processing technicians

A

Skilled professionals who specialize in processing and maintenance of medical devices used in the health care facility

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11
Q

Chemical indicator

A

A method of testing a sterilization parameter. Chemical strips sensitive to physical conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being sterilized and change color when the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical monitor

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12
Q

Chemical sterilization

A

A process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization

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13
Q

-cidal

A

A suffix indicating death.

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14
Q

Cleaning

A

A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using detergent and washing

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15
Q

Cobalt 60 radiation

A

A method of institutional bulk sterilization used by manufacturers to sterilize prepackaged equipment using ionizing radiation.

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16
Q

Contaminated

A

Rendered nonsterile and unacceptable for use in critical areas of the body

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17
Q

Decontamination

A

A process in which recently used and soiled medical devices, including instruments, are rendered safe for personnel to handle

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18
Q

Detergent

A

A chemical that breaks down organic debris by emulsification to aid in cleaning

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19
Q

Disinfection

A

Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means. Spores usually are not destroyed by disinfection

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20
Q

Enzymatic cleaner

A

A specific chemical used in detergents and cleaners to penetrate and break down biological debris, such as blood and tissue

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21
Q

Ethylene oxide

A

A highly flammable has that is capable of sterilizing an object

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22
Q

Event related sterility

A

A wrapped sterile item may become contaminated by environmental conditions or events, such as a puncture in the wrapper. Event related sterility refers to sterility based on the absence of such events. The shelf life of a sterilized pack is event related, not time related

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23
Q

Evidence based practices

A

Methods and procedures proven to be valid by rigorous testing and professional research

24
Q

Exposure time

A

This is the amount of time goods are held at a specific time, temperature, and pressure during a sterilization process. Exposure time varies with the size of the load, type of materials being sterilized, and type of sterilizer. Exposure time is sometimes called the hold time

25
Q

Fungicidal

A

Able to kill fungi

26
Q

Gas plasma sterilization

A

A process that uses the form of latter known as plasma to sterilize an item. Also referred to as plasma sterilization

27
Q

Germicidal

A

Able to kill germs

28
Q

Gravity displacement sterilizer

A

A type of sterilizer that removes air by gravity

29
Q

High level disinfection

A

A process that reduces the bio burden to an absolute minimum

30
Q

High vacuum sterilizer

A

A type of steam sterilizer that removes air in the chamber by vacuum and refills it with pressurized steam. Also known as a Prevacid sterilizer

31
Q

Inanimate

A

Nonliving

32
Q

Implant

A

Defined by the US FDA as a device that is placed into a surgically or naturally formed cavity of the human body if it is intended to remain there for a period of 30 days or more.

33
Q

Immediate use sterilization

A

Items to be sterilized shortly before surgery must be processed so they are ready as close to the time of surgery as possible. This is referred to as immediate use sterilization, previously called flash sterilization

34
Q

International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management

A

International organization that represents Central Service Technicians by providing opportunities for continuing education, professional development, and communication among its members. Offers certification programs

35
Q

Material Safety Data Sheet

A

A government mandated requirement for all chemicals used in he workplace. The MSDS describes the formulation, safe use, precautions, and emergency response. The MSDS must be available for each chemical an employee is required to handle in his or her work

36
Q

Medical device

A

Any equipment, instrument, implant, material, or apparatus used for the diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of patients

37
Q

Noncritical items

A

Items that are not required to be sterile because hey do not penetrate intact tissues. Patient care items such as blood pressure cuff and stethoscope are noncritical

38
Q

Nonwoven

A

A fabric or material that is bonded together as opposed to a process of interweaving individual threads

39
Q

Peracetic acid

A

A chemical used in the sterilization of critical items

40
Q

PPE

A

Approved attire worn during the reprocessing of medical devices and the cleaning of patient areas. PPE protects the wearer from contamination by microorganisms

41
Q

Prion

A

Proteinaceous infectious particle, a unique pathogenic substance that contains nonnuclear acid. The prion is transmitted by direct contact or ingestion and is resistant to all forms of disinfection and sterilization normally used in the health care setting

42
Q

Process challenge monitoring

A

A sealed, harmless bacteriological sample included in a load of goods to be sterilized. The sample is recovered following the sterilization process and cultured to test for viability. This process is also called biological monitoring

43
Q

Reprocessing

A

Activities or tasks that prepare used medical devices for use on another patient; these activities include cleaning, disinfection, decontamination, and sterilization

44
Q

Reusable

A

A designation used by manufacturers to indicate that a medical device can be reprocessed for use on more than one patient

45
Q

Sanitation

A

A method that reduces the number of bacteria in the environment to a safe level

46
Q

Sharps

A

Any objects used in health care that are capable of penetrating the skin, causing injury

47
Q

Shelf life

A

The length of time a wrapped item remains sterile after it has been subjected to a sterilization process

48
Q

Single use items

A

Instruments and devices intended for use on one patient only; sometimes called disposable items

49
Q

Spaulding system

A

A system used to determine the level of microbial destruction required for medical devices and supplies based on the risk of infection associated with the area of the body where the device is used. Categories include critical, semi critical, and noncritical

50
Q

Sporicidal

A

Able to kill spores

51
Q

Sterilization

A

A process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed

52
Q

Terminal decontamination

A

Thorough cleaning and disinfection of supplies or an environment such as the OR suit after patient use. Specific protocols and procedures are used during terminal decontamination

53
Q

Ultrasonic cleaner

A

Equipment that cleans instruments using ultrasonic waves

54
Q

Viricidal

A

Able to kill viruses

55
Q

Washer sterilizer/ disinfector

A

Equipment that washes and decontaminates instruments after an operative procedure

56
Q

Woven wrappers

A

Also called linen or cloth wrappers, these are fabric cloths used to wrap clean, disinfected supplies in preparation for sterilization process