Disinfection, Decontamination, & Sterilization Flashcards
BACTERICIDAL
Able to kill bacteria
BACTERIOSTATIC
Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria
BIOBURDEN
The number of contaminating microbes on an object
BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR
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
BOWIE-DICK TEST
A test that identifies air leaks and ineffective air removal in the steam sterilization process
CAVITATION
A process in which air bubbles are imploded (burst inward), releasing particles of soil or tissue debris
CHEMICAL STERILIZATION
A process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization
CLEANING
A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris by using friction, detergent, and water
DISINFECTION
Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means
Does not produce sterility, as not all microbial forms are destroyed in the process
EXPOSURE TIME
This is the amount of time goods are held in specific conditions during disinfection or the sterilization process
Exposure time varies with the size of the load, type of materials being sterilized, and type of agent used
Also called the hold time
HIGH-LEVEL DISINFECTANT (HLD)
A process that reduces the bioburden to an absolute minimum
IMMEDIATE USE STEAM STERILIZATION (IUSS)
Rapid sterilization of instruments to be used immediately
Process was previously called flash sterilization
PERACETIC ACID
A chemical used in the sterilization of critical items
PRION
Infectious protein particle that is a unique pathogenic substance containing no nucleic acid
Resistant to most forms of disinfection and sterilization normally used in the health care setting
SPORICIDAL
Able to kill spores
TERMINAL CLEANING
A daily process in which exposed surfaces of the OR are cleaned and disinfected
TURNOVER
Cleaning, disinfection, and preparation of the OR between patients
WASHER-STERILIZER/DISINFECTOR
Equipment that washes and decontaminates instruments so they can be safely handled by personnel
CLEAN
The absence of visible soil on a surface