infection

what are the two agents of indirect transmission

vector and fomite

also called a clean technique is used daily in every clinical setting and consists of the removal of micro-organisms after they leave the body; goal is to reduce the number of micro-organisms and prohibit their growth

medical asepsis

this is a medical aseptic technique that is routinely used to prevent the spread of infection

handwashing

does medical sepsis eliminate all possibility of pathogen presence? if not what does it do

no, it greatly reduces their numbers and their ability to multiply and cause further infections

how do medical assistants use medical asepsis

washing hands, cleaning work space, using gloves when in contact with body fluids, and proper cleaning of supplies

this is the removal of all micro-organisms and must be used during invasive procedures or when there is a penetration of the patient’s skin or mucous membranes

surgical asepsis

what is the goal of surgical asepsis

eliminate micro-organisms from entering the body

CDC hand hygiene recommendations

before and after patient contact, after contact with contaminated surfaces, after contact with blood or body fluids, before performing an aseptic procedure (blood draw, medication administration), before and after contact with supplies near patients, after contact with contaminated body site prior to contact with a clean body site, after glove removal

how long to apply soap and rub hands together for

at least 20 seconds

when water and soap are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer with a minimum of __ alcohol can be used

60%

what is the first step in assuring that a piece of medical equipment is clean as possible; and this process reduces the number of microbes to a lower level so that they are ready to undergo the sterilization or disinfection process

sanitization

for facilities that work with very delicate instruments, this type of sanitization is used to avoid damage to the equipment and reduces the risk of sharps exposure for the health care worker

ultrasonic

process of destroying pathogens on a surface

disinfection

the use of dry heat, gas, chemicals, uv radiation, ionizing radiation, or steam under pressure in an __ are all methods that can be used in the sterilization of medical equipment

autoclave

• Pre-cleaning: Done immediately after the endoscope has been removed from the patient, this consists of wiping the tube with a wet cloth and then soaking the tube in a cleaning solution.

• Leak testing: Use air, pressure, and water to determine if any damage to the endoscope has occurred.

• Manual cleaning: Use the recommended cleaning solution to manually remove debris from the internal and external surfaces of the endoscope.

• Rinse after cleaning: Rinse all parts of the endoscope with clean water to further reduce the chances of any debris or cleaning solution from remaining.

• High-level disinfection (manual or automated): Use the recommended high-level disinfectant that the manufacturer suggests for immersion and flushing of endoscope pieces.

• Rinse after high-level disinfection: Rinse all parts to assure no residual chemical disinfectant remains on the endoscope.

• Drying: Rinse all parts with alcohol and then dry with forced air. Store the endoscope vertically in a clean, dry, and dust- free environment.

these are steps to disinfect/sterilize what equipment

endoscope