Sterilization and Disinfection Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is Antisepsis?
A process involving the destruction or inhibition of microorganisms in living tissue, limiting or preventing the harmful effects of infection.
Antisepsis is crucial in medical settings to prevent infections during procedures.
Define Antiseptic.
A chemical agent applied to living tissue to kill microbes.
Not all disinfectants qualify as antiseptics due to potential tissue damage.
What is the difference between antiseptics and disinfectants?
Antiseptics are less toxic and applied to living tissue, while disinfectants are used on inanimate objects and can be more harmful.
Antiseptics must not damage living tissue.
What are Biocidal substances?
Active substances and preparations that repel, render harmless, or destroy chemically or biologically harmful organisms.
Biocides play a role in pest control and sanitation.
Define Decontamination.
The killing of organisms or removal of contamination after use, generally referring to procedures making items safe before disposal.
Decontamination does not imply a specific quantitative reduction of organisms.
What is Sanitization?
The process of reducing microbial contamination to an acceptable ‘safe’ level without necessarily sterilizing.
Sanitization is common in food preparation and public health.
What does it mean to disinfect?
To eliminate most harmful microorganisms (not including their spores) from surfaces or objects; to inactivate viruses.
Disinfection is a common practice in healthcare and sanitation.
What does it mean to sterilize?
To kill ALL microbes and their spores present on a surface or object.
Sterilization is critical in surgical and laboratory settings.
What methods are used for disinfection?
Phenolic disinfectants, heavy metals, halogens (e.g., chlorine), bleach, alcohols, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, heating, and pasteurization.
Different methods are chosen based on the type of surface and microorganisms.
What are common air disinfectants?
Disinfectants dispersed as aerosols or vapors, such as propylene glycol and triethylene glycol.
Effective for reducing airborne infectious microorganisms.
What are some effective alcohols for disinfection?
High-concentration ethanol or isopropanol.
These are commonly used in healthcare settings to inactivate viruses.
What are aldehydes commonly used for?
They are somewhat effective on spores and fungus, with formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde being common examples.
Aldehydes are used in medical sterilization and preservation.
What are oxidizing agents used for in disinfection?
They cause microorganisms to collapse, with chlorine and oxygen being strong oxidizers.
Sodium hypochlorite is a common household bleach used for cleaning.
What are phenolics?
The oldest known disinfectants, used in products like mouthwashes and Dettol.
Phenolics are effective against a broad range of microorganisms.
What is steam sterilization?
A method using autoclaves with steam heated to 121–134 °C, requiring specific holding times to achieve sterility.
Autoclaving is effective against all forms of microbial life.
What is the effectiveness of boiling water in sterilization?
Boiling for 15 minutes inactivates viruses and kills most vegetative bacteria, but has no effect on spores.
Boiling is a simple method for sterilizing water.
What chemicals are used in chemical sterilization?
Ethylene oxide, ozone, bleach, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide.
These chemicals are effective in sterilizing equipment that cannot withstand heat.
What is radiation sterilization used for?
Mainly used for sterilizing disposable medical equipment, such as syringes and needles.
Electron beams, X-rays, and gamma rays are common radiation methods.
Define sterile filtration.
A method for clear liquids that would be damaged by heat or chemicals, done through pores smaller than the microorganisms.
This method is essential for sensitive biological solutions.
What are some uses of sterilization?
Surgical procedures, microbiological work, preparation of culture media, reagents, and equipment.
Sterilization is critical in preventing infections in medical settings.
What factors affect the sterilization process?
Types and levels of microbial contamination, pH, duration of contact, temperature, and humidity.
Understanding these factors is essential for effective sterilization.
