Dish the dirt

Question 1

what are the steps in the chain of infection?

6

Answer 1

• reservoir
• portal of exit
• mode of transmission
• portal of entry
• susceptible host
• infectious agent

Question 2

what are the different risk levels in the Spaulding classification?

4

Answer 2

• critical (high risk)
• semi-critical (medium risk)
• non-critical (low risk)
• minimal risk

Question 3

what would be of critical risk in the Spaulding classification? give examples

Answer 3

• items in contact with normally sterile body sites and penetrate them
• requires sterilisation when not disposable
• e.g. forceps, periodontal scaler, dental burs

Question 4

what would be of semi-critical risk in the Spaulding classification? give examples

Answer 4

• items in contact with intact mucous membranes without penetrating them
• requires high level disinfection
• e.g. dental mirror, dental handpieces

Question 5

what would be of minimal risk in the Spaulding classification? give examples

Answer 5

• items not normally in contact with intact skin
• requires low or intermediate level disinfection
• e.g. dental chair, floor

Question 5

what would be of non-critical risk in the Spaulding classification? give examples

Answer 5

• instruments only in contact with intact skin
• requires low or intermediate level disinfection
• e.g. x-ray heads, light cure, glasses

Question 6

what are housekeeping surfaces? give examples

Answer 6

surfaces that do not come into direct contact during dental treatment and carry the lowest risk of disease transmission e.g. wall, floor, sink

Question 7

what are clinical contact surfaces? give examples

Answer 7

contaminated areas from patient materials either by direct contact or splatter generated during dental procedures or by contact by gloved hands of dental personnel e.g. light handle, drawer handle, spittoon and tubing

Question 8

what is the definition of detergent?

Answer 8

a group of synthetic organic water-soluble agents that have wetting-agent, emulsifying and soil holding properties

Question 9

what are the issues with detergents?

Answer 9

• biodegradability
• specific labelling requirements
• provision of data
• restriction og phosphates

Question 10

what is the definition of disinfection?

Answer 10

a process for the removal or destruction of microbes not usually including bacterial spores

Question 11

what factors compromise the efficacy of detergents?

Answer 11

• organic matter
• dried or coagulated matter
• time of exposure to microbial
• coverage of large or irregular areas

Question 12

how would you break the chain of infection from surfaces?

Answer 12

• infectious agent - ?
• reservoir - surface design, surface material, cleaning, role of detergents
• portal of exit - aerosol control
• mode of transmission - hands, formites
• portal of entry - PPE
• susceptible host - vaccination