Classification of Patient Care Items and Disinfection Principles

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the classification of patient care items and disinfection principles based on lecture notes.

Critical Items

Items used for invasive procedures or vascular access that carry a high potential for causing surgical site infections (SSIs); must be sterilized.

Semi-critical Items

Items that come in contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, requiring high-level disinfection.

Non-critical Items

Items that come in contact with intact skin and pose the least risk of infection; require intermediate or low-level disinfection.

Disinfection

Destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, their toxins or vectors, by direct exposure to chemical and physical agents.

High-level Disinfectant

Kills all microorganisms except for spores and prions.

Intermediate-level Disinfectant

Kills most microorganisms including most bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but not spores.

Low-level Disinfectant

Effective against some fungi and viruses and most bacteria, but ineffective against spores and M. tuberculosis.

Sterilization

Destruction of all microorganisms in or about an object using methods like steam, chemical agents, or irradiation.

Bioburden

The presence of viable bacteria or the byproducts of bacteria on a surface or object.

Sodium Hypochlorite

Household bleach used as a fast-acting disinfectant that disrupts cellular metabolism.

Glutaraldehyde

A liquid chemical sterilant used for devices that can withstand complete immersion, effective as a high-level disinfectant.

Alcohol

A disinfectant that is tuberculocidal, bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal, commonly used in skin disinfection.

Phenol

A disinfectant used in concentrated form with detergent additives, effective at eliminating fecal contamination.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

Bactericidal and fungicidal disinfectants that are not sporicidal, virucidal, or tuberculocidal.

Environmental Decontamination

The process of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment to prevent cross-contamination.

Terminal Cleaning

A thorough cleaning process at the end of the day or procedure to ensure all areas are sanitized.