Test 1 Flashcards
(42 cards)
Define Bioburden
A viable microorganism identified on a product before and after the sterilization process. I.E. blood, bone, tissue
Define Sterile
Free from all microorganisms including spores (Aseptic means the same thing)
Define Spore
An inactive or dormant, but viable state of an organism that is difficulty to kill. Sterilization methods are monitored by their ability to kill a known population of resistant spores
Define Prion
An infection proteinaceous particle responsible for Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease. It is resistant to routine sterilization and disinfection process
Define Biological Indicator
a sterilization monitor consisting of a known population of resistant spore that is used to test the sterilizers ability to destroy sports and therefore ensure the item is sterile. This is dependent on the instruments being packed properly, placed in the sterilizer correctly and using the packaging materials
Define Bowie Dick Test
An air removal test that tests the ability of the autoclave to remove air from the chamber and ensure that steam is able t penetrate all surfaces loaded onto the auto clave.
How often is the Bowie Dick Test run?
Daily - in all vacuumed autoclaves that use steam under pressure
Define Chemical Indicator
A device used to monitor the process parameters in the sterilization ccle. They are specific to the process of sterilization used.
Define disinfection
Very different from sterilization as they do not kill all living organisms. They are microcidal agents used to reduce the number of microorganisms.
Disinfectants are used on inanimate objects
Low level disinfection
kills vegetative forms of bacteria, lipid viruses and some fungi
Intermediate level disinfection
kills vegetative bacteria, viruses, and fungi but NOT spores
High level disinfection
kills vegetative bacteria, viruses, fungi and some spores
i.e. gluteraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, cidex
antiseptics
Are bactericidal/ antimicrobial agents that can be used on LIVING tissue .. These agents are used to prep patients
i.e. Chlorhexidine (Hibitane) and idophors (Betadine)
How does the Spaulding Classification define Critical items?
Items coming into contact with sterile tissue, vascular system (intoduced beneath a mucus membrane). These items must be sterile.
i.e. surgical instruments, cardiac catheters, and all implants
Spaldings Classification - Semi Critical
Items that come into contact with unbroken mucus membranes. They may be sterile but must at least be disinfected (high level disinfection).
i.e. colonoscopes, gastroscopes, thermometers
Spalding Classification - Non Critical
Items in contact with intact skin - low level disinfection is required.
i.e. BP cuffs, stethoscopes, SPO2 probes, ECG leads
Decontamination Phase
Occurs before sterilization process - all instruments and equipment must be washed in this phase
Name the 4 types of Sterilization
- Steam sterilization (Autoclave)
- Chemical sterilization (EO, Gas Plasma [Sterrad], Peracetic Acid [Steris])
- Radiation
- High Level Disinfection
What are the three important factors to confider with steam sterilization
- moisture
- heat/temperature
- time
Steam Sterilization
Application of steam under pressure. It is the oldest, safest and most economical.
High temperatures are required for the destruction of the microorganisms
What allows the temperature to be reached within a certain period of time in Steam Sterilization?
Pressure
What are the 5 phases to consider for the Steam Sterilization to occur
- Packing and loading
- Heating
- Destroying
- Cooling
- Testing
What is the maximum size for textile packs in Steam Sterilization and what is the maximum weight
12x12x20 inches (30x30x50 cm)
12 lbs (4.3kg)
Key points to consider in Steam Sterilization
- Screws and stylets must be diassembled, and rubber must be separated from instruments
- Never have solid metal against solid metal or rubber items sticking together - steam cannot penetrate
- Lumens must be flushed with water
