CHAPTER 9 - TERMS
CHAPTER 9 - TERMS
Bactericidal
Relating to the destruction of bacteria.
Sterilization
The process by which all forms of
... [Show More] microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi, are completely destroyed.
Disinfection
The destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms on an inanimate (non-living) surface.
Disinfectant
A chemical that kills most pathogenic organisms, but does not kill all spores.
Spaulding Classification System
A system developed by Dr. E. H. Spaulding that divides medical devices into categories based on the risk of infection involved with their use.
Sterile/sterilized
Completely devoid of all living microorganisms.
High-level disinfection
The destruction of all vegetative microorganisms, mycobacterium, small or nonlipid viruses, medium or lipid viruses, fungal spores and some bacterial spores.
Low-level disinfection
The destruction of vegetative forms of bacteria, some fungi and lipid viruses (but not bacterial spores).
Intermediate-level disinfection
The destruction of viruses, mycobacteria, fungi and vegetative bacteria (but not bacterial spores).
Organic materials
Compounds containing oxygen, carbon and hydrogen; derived from living organisms. Organic matter in the form of serum, blood, pus or fecal
material can interfere with the activity of disinfectants.
Alkylation
A chemical reaction where hydrogen
is replaced with an alkyl group. This causes the cell
to be unable to normally metabolize or reproduce, or both.
Activated (activation)
Process by which a solution is combined with an activating chemical before use. Glutaraldehydes must be activated before initial use.
Minimum effective concentration (MEC)
The percentage concentration of the active ingredient in a disinfectant or chemical sterilantthat is the minimum concentration at which the chemical meets all its label claims for activity against specific microorganisms.
Thermal disinfection
The use of heat to reduce the amount of microorganisms (excluding spores) on a medical device.
CHAPTER 9 - PRE-TEST
CHAPTER 9 - PRE-TEST
Chlorine
This intermediate-level disinfectant is a member of the halogen disinfectant family. Although it may be found in Central Service decontamination areas, it is not recommended for use on instruments because of its corrosive qualities.:
Glutaraldehyde
This high-level disinfectant is used for semi-critical devices such as endoscopes. Once it is activated (mixed) it must be checked routinely using test strips to ensure its concentration. Because of its fumes employees who work with it must follow specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for safety.:
Quats (quaternary ammonium compounds)
This low-level disinfectant is often used in environmental sanitation such as on floors, walls, and furniture. It is incompatible with soaps. Its concentration may be diminished by some materials such as cotton, wool, filter paper, and charcoal. They are:
Alcohol
This common disinfectant has been in use for several years. It is often used to disinfect equipment. It is inactivated by organic soil in order to achieve a reasonable level of disinfection it must remain in wet contact with the item being disinfected for at least 5 minutes. That can be a problem because it evaporates quickly. It is:
Thermal Disinfection
The use of heat to kill all microorganisms, except spores.
Disinfectant
A chemical which kills most pathogenic organisms, but does not kill spores.
Antiseptic
A solution which inhibits the growth of bacteria usually used topically and only on animate objects.
Wet contact time
The length of time an item must remain wet with a disinfectant.
Disinfection
The destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms on an inanimate surface.
Bactericidal
Relating to the destruction of bacteria.
Sterilization
A process by which all forms of microbial life are destroyed.
Each use
The frequency the concentration level of a high-level disinfectant must be tested.
Ortho-phthalaldehyde
Minimum effective concentration testing is required when using this disinfectant.
Air bubbles
When manually disinfecting lumens, care should be taken to ensure there are no _______ present inside the lumens.
CHAPTER 9 - REVIEW QUIZ
CHAPTER 9 - REVIEW QUIZ
Antiseptics
These chemicals are used on animate (living tissue) to slow the growth of microorganisms:
Glutaraldehydes
Disinfectants
Halogens
Antiseptics [Show Less]