Terms Flashcards
Define Antimicrobial Agent
Any agent that kills or suppresses the growth of microorganisms
Antiseptic
Substance that prevents or arrests the growth or action of microorganisms by
inhibiting their activity or by destroying them. The term is used especially for preparations
applied topically to living tissue.
Define Aseptic Techniques
echniques for preventing infection during invasive procedures such as
surgical operations, dressing wounds, or some laboratory procedures. Acupuncture is not an
aseptic procedure because it is not performed in a manner that preserves the sterility of the
acupuncturist’s hands or the skin of the patient. Acupuncture is a clean rather than sterile
procedure. Nevertheless, acupuncture needles must be kept in a sterile condition for use in
CNT.
Define Asepsis
Prevention of contact with microorganisms.
Define Best Practices
Activities, disciplines and methods that are available to identify, implement, and
monitor the available evidence in healthcare, such as those practices meant to enhance patient
care or limit risks
clean field
The area that has been prepared to contain the equipment necessary for
acupuncture in such a way as to protect the sterility of the needles. By extension, this includes
not only the clean surface on which equipment will be placed, but also the patient’s skin around
prepared acupuncture points, and anything that touches the skin. (Note: A clean field is not the
same as a sterile field.)
clean technique
The use of techniques (such as antisepsis, disinfection, sterilization,
handwashing, and isolation of sharps) designed to reduce the risk of infection of patients,
practitioners, and office personnel by reducing the number of pathogens, thereby reducing the
chances for contact between the pathogens and the patients and personnel.
contamination
The introduction of contaminating viruses, bacteria, or other organisms into or
onto previously clean or sterile objects, rendering them unclean or non-sterile.
decontamination
According to OSHA, the use of physical or chemical means to remove,
inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are
no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe
for handling, use, or disposal.
disinfectant
Usually a chemical agent (but sometimes a physical agent) that destroys diseasecausing
pathogens or other harmful microorganisms, but might not kill bacterial spores. It
refers to substances applied to inanimate objects
high level disinfectent
An agent capable of killing when used in sufficient concentration under
suitable conditions. It therefore is expected to kill all other microorganisms.
intermediate level disinfectant
An agent that destroys all vegetative bacteria, including
tubercle bacilli, lipid and some nonlipid viruses, and fungi, but not bacterial spores.
low level disinfecrtent
An agent that destroys all vegetative bacteria (except tubercle bacilli),
lipid viruses, some nonlipid viruses, and some fungi, but not bacterial spores.
nosocomial infection
An infection that is acquired from healthcare-associated facilities and
procedures, including hospitals and other than acute-care facilities; and infections acquired
through outpatient care.
OPIM
Other potentially infectious material. OPIM includes synovial fluid, amniotic fluid,
cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, semen and vaginal secretions, peritoneal fluid, pericardial
fluid, saliva (in dental procedures only), and any fluids visibly contaminated with blood or stool.
OPIM includes all body fluids where it may be difficult to differentiate between contaminated
and non-contaminated fluids.
