Test 4: Infection Control Flashcards
What is the purpose of infection control?
- make it difficult for agent to get to host
- interrupt mode of transmission
- alter susceptibility of host
When are universal precautions used?
ON EVERYONE: treat them all as if they have a disease
What does standard precautions combine? (also for everyone)
universal precautions and body substance isolation (rubber dams)
What requires use of barriers during contact?
- blood
- saliva/fluid (not sweat)
- non-intact skin/mucosa
- intact mucous membranes
According to the EPA what should be the concentration of microbes in cooling water?
500 CFU/mL
What is the concentration according to the ADA?
200 CFU/mL
What are some common dental unit pathogens?
Staph aureus
leigonella pneumophila
pseudomonas aeruginosa
etc.
When do you flush waterlines and for how long?
Every morning for 3 min
between patients for 30 seconds
How are aerosols controlled?
Proper patient positioning Use of high speed hand piece Use of rubber dam Remove extraneous items from operatory Protective barriers
When should you wash your hands?
two times in the morning and after breaks
-for 15 seconds before regloving
when should gloves be changed?
between each patient, if damaged, or every 45 min during long procedure
What is the difference between sterilization, disinfection, and antisepsis?
sterilization: kills all forms of life
disinfection: kills pathogens
antisepsis: kills pathogens on living tissue
What items should be disinfected?
- heat sensitive items that come into contact with blood or mucosa
- non-critical items that are exposed to spray/splatter
What are autoclave settings?
- 121 Celsius, 15-30 min, 15 psi
- 132 Celsius, 10 min, 18 psi
What are the disadvantages for autoclaves?
Dulls instruments and may rust them
