Glossary: Infection Prevention

IBEC Study Guide, Electrolysis

Alcohol-Based Rub (i.e. hand sanitizer)

The alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the United States, such preparations usually contain 60% - 95% ethanol or isopropanol. Formulations include foams, gels and liquid rinses. These products do not remove soil, but can be used for hand-antisepsis. → does not replace handwashing*

Antiseptic (ONLY ON SKIN*)

A germicide used on skin or living tissue to inhibit or destroy microorganisms. Reduce risk of infection + stop spread of germs. Antiseptic products are not appropriate in any instance for use in cleaning or disinfecting inanimate objects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates antiseptics. I.e. Hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, witch hazel

Aseptic (Free of Germs) Technique

A set of specific practices used before, during and after a procedure to protect against the spread of of pathogenic microorganisms. Examples of aseptic technique are appropriately timed handwashing, decontamination of inanimate surfaces and instruments, appropriate use of personal protective clothing or barriers, proper containment and disposal of waste and consistent instrument handling which minimize cross contamination and reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens.

*Autoclave (steam/liquid sterilizer)

A device used for sterilization by application of pressurized steam and heat. The FDA regulates autoclaves.

*Biological Indicator, ex - spore test autoclave

A commercially prepared device with a known population of highly resistant bacterial spores used to test the method of sterilization being monitored. The biological indicator (BI) is used to demonstrate that conditions necessary to achieve sterilization were met during the cycle being monitored. The FDA regulates biological indicators.

*Chemical Indicator (Color Change, indicates heat)

A commercially prepared device used to monitor all or part of the physical conditions of a heat sterilization process by means of a characteristic color change, usually chemically treated paper strips. A chemical indicator does not indicate that sterilization has been achieved and most indicate only that the temperature needed has been attained. Some chemical indicators are capable of "integrating" time at a particular temperature before color change. The FDA regulates chemical indicators.

Cleaning

Not disinfection or sterilization* The removal of visible soil(e.g., organic and inorganic material) from objects and surfaces and is accomplished manually or mechanically using water with detergents or enzymatic products. Thorough cleaning is an absolute must prior to disinfection and sterilization procedures.

Contamination

The result of being soiled, stained, touched, or otherwise exposed to harmful agents, making an object potentially unsafe for use as intended or without barrier techniques. An example is the entry of infectious or toxic materials into a previously clean or sterile environment.

Contraindicate

To advise against or indicate the possible danger of a drug or treatment.

Critical items

(ex. needles) The instruments or objects that come in direct contact with the bloodstream or other normally sterile areas of the body. Critical items must be pre-sterilized, single use and disposable or subjected to sterilization before use.

Decontamination

Blanket term; Use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy pathogens on a surface or item so that they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use or disposal.

Disinfectant (Product*)

A chemical agent used on hard inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily their spores. Chemical disinfectants are classified as "high-level," "intermediate-level" and "low- level" according to their comparative levels of potency and intended uses, but are not a final step in the processing of instruments. Sterilization is final step.

Disinfection (Process* of cleaning something)

A process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.

High-Level Disinfection (Minimum or lowest level we can use)

The disinfection process that inactivates some, but not necessarily all, bacterial spores. High-level disinfection is the minimum treatment recommended by the CDC in guidelines for the processing of semi- critical instruments. There are commercially available germicides that have been cleared by the FDA as sterilants/disinfectants or simply as "high-level disinfectants." Examples of high-level disinfectants include glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxidelperacetic acid-based formula and orthophthaladehyde.

Intermediate-Level Disinfection (strongest)

A disinfection process capable of killing TB, broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungi, including Herpes, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, HIV, HBV and inactive AIDS viruses.

The EPA regulates intermediate-level disinfectants. Examples of intermediate- level disinfectants include alcohols (70- 90%), quaternary ammonium compounds and phenolics.

Low-level Disinfection (Middle, second to strongest)

A process capable of inactivating most bacteria, some viruses and fungi but not bacterial spores or TB.

Like intermediate- level products, low-level disinfectants are regulated by the EPA and are appropriate for disinfecting environmental or medical equipment (non-instrument) surfaces. Examples of low-level disinfectants are quaternary ammonium compounds and certain iodophors or phenolics.

Dry heat sterilizer (no water)

An oven-type device specifically designed to sterilize items by exposure to high temperatures for a designated period of time. The FDA regulates dry heat sterilizers.

Electrologist

a person who removes hair by means of an electric current applied with a solid wire filament or electrode.

Electrology

The study of electrolysis.

Electrolysis

Destruction of living tissue in the hair follicle by means of electric current applied with a solid wire filament or electrode. The procedure of electrolysis is also known as electro-epilation.

Environmental surfaces

Surfaces that may contribute to cross- contamination. These surfaces should be properly maintained to minimize their potential role in disease transmission. A low-level disinfectant is used to clean environmental surfaces.

Enzyme Detergent

The solution that helps break down organic soils and fats and suspends particles during cleaning. An enzyme detergent is used as a soaking solution for critical, semi-critical and non-critical instruments and as the detergent used in the ultrasonic device. Temperature and dilution affect the efficacy of enzyme detergents.

Epilator Cords

Insulated cords used to complete a circuit between the epilator and needle, phoresis indifferent applicator/rollers and the indifferent electrode. Epilator cords are non-critical items, Intermediate level disinfectants can be used to clean the cords.

Forceps

a medical tool that is used for grasping or holding things.

Gloves

Coverings for the hands made of various materials, which provide a protective barrier against infections and toxic substances. There are three types of gloves that can be used by electrologists; examination, food-handler, and cleaning/non-medical gloves

Examination gloves

are non-sterile, medical grade, disposable patient examination gloves made of natural rubber latex or synthetic material and are worn during electrolysis treatments and during cleaning procedures to provide a barrier to prevent exposure to potentially infectious materials and other contaminants. The FDA regulates medical grade gloves.

Food-handler gloves

may be worn as a protective disposable barrier over exam gloves during treatment interruption to prevent contamination from touching objects such as knobs, phones, electronic devices, pens, charts etc. These gloves are discarded after each use.

Cleaning and other non-medical gloves

are general purpose, heavy-duty, reusable, puncture resistant utility gloves (e.g., rubber household) that may be used for housekeeping chores such as instrument cleaning and decontamination procedures that involve potential contact with contaminants. These gloves are washed and dried between each use and should be labeled for use by one individual. They should be discarded when showing evidence of deterioration. Utility gloves are not promoted for medical use; therefore, are not regulated by the FDA.

Hand Hygiene

*Plain Soap with warm/room-temp water; The general term that applies to the decontamination process for the removal of soil and transient microorganisms from the hands.

Hospital Disinfectant

chemical germicide with label claims for effectiveness against Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hospital disinfectants may be classified as either intermediate-level or low-level in their spectrum of activity as indicated by label claims. These classes of germicides are regulated by the EPA and are appropriate for environmental or medical surfaces but not as a final step in processing electrolysis instruments.

Indifferent electrode (inactive positive electrode)

The stainless steel bar held by the client during electrolysis treatments to complete electric current circuit with galvanic/ electrolysis modality or with the use of a timer delay switch in automatic delivery epilators. Indifferent electrodes are non-critical items.

Instruments

Tools designed to perform a specific function such as grasping, holding or extracting.

Intact skin

Healthy skin in which the natural protective barrier has no breaks, scrapes, cuts, abnormal openings, infection or signs of trauma that allow pathogens to enter.

Lancet

a sharp pointed instrument used for making small openings in the skin. Lancets are single-use and pre-sterilized and must be properly disposed of in a compliant sharps container.

Latex Allergy

A systemic or local allergic response to various latex proteins.

Needle/Probe

The solid wire filament or electrode inserted into the hair follicle for application of electric current during electrolysis procedures. Needles used in electrolysis may come in contact with blood, serum or other material; therefore they should be purchased as pre- sterilized and disposable for one-time use only. Needles should be treated as critical items and properly disposed of in a compliant sharps container.

Needle Holder Cap

The plastic cap holding the shaft of the needle in place on the needle cord. Needle holder caps are considered semi-critical items and may come in contact with blood, serum or other material; therefore the first steps of processing include soaking and cleaning. Heat sensitive caps are white and after initial cleaning are exposed to a high-level disinfectant before reuse. Heat stable caps are black and after initial cleaning should be packaged prior to sterilization.

Non-Critical Items

Instruments or environmental surfaces that will come in contact only with intact skin. If properly cleaned and maintained, these surfaces carry relatively little risk of transmitting infection directly or indirectly to clients.

Non-intact Skin

Areas of the skin that have been opened by cuts, abrasions, dermatitis, acne or other causes which would allow bloodborne pathogens to enter the body.

Packaging

Materials used to contain instruments for sterilization, such as woven or non-woven wraps, paper or film pouches or rigid container systems.

Pathogen (harmful/ minority)

A microorganism or substance capable of producing a disease

Phoresis applicators/rollers (galvanic)

Made of stainless steel, these items are used to apply current to skin before or after an electrolysis treatment. These items are considered semi-critical and should be sterilized or exposed to a high-level disinfectant.

Plain Soap

A detergent-based cleanser without anti- microbial additives used for the primary purpose of physical removal of dirt, soil and transient microorganisms. Soap is used in handwashing to suspend microorganisms for the purpose of rinsing them off.

Processing

The activity of cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing contaminated items to render them safe for their intended use.

Protective Disposable Barrier

A disposable, moisture-resistant covering which reduces the potential for contaminating environmental or medical device surfaces that may be difficult or inconvenient to clean and disinfect routinely, e.g., tables and pillows or hard-to-clean surfaces such as light handles and epilator surfaces.

Semi-Critical Items

Items that may come in contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin but do not ordinarily_ penetrate body surfaces. Semi- critical items require sterilization or exposure to high-level disinfection.

Sharps Container

A specially manufactured and labeled, leak- proof, rigid, puncture resistant, durable plastic container into which needles and lancets are placed after use and designed to be disposed of as an item of regulated medical waste.

Spore

A small usually single-celled reproductive body that is resistant to adverse environmental conditions including heat, drying and chemicals.

Sterility Assurance File

The record containing the sterilizer maintenance and use log and culture report from each biological indicator.

Sanitation

Reduces the level of bacteria

Sterilization (Kills ALL Bacteria)

The process of destroying all forms of microbial life (including spores). The recommended methods of sterilization of instruments and items used in the practice of electrolysis are the dry heat sterilizer or the autoclave. These methods are standardized and should be routinely monitored for effectiveness.

Thermolysis = high frequency

Destruction of living tissue in the hair follicle by means of alternating current applied with a solid wire filament or electrode.

Tweezers

The instrument used during electrolysis treatments to remove the hair from the follicle, Tweezers used in electrolysis may come in contact with blood, serum or other material and should be sterilized before each use. They should be treated as critical items.

Ultrasonic cleaner

*Uses protein enzyme detergent. The processing unit using ultrasonic waves transmitted through the cleaning solution in a mechanical process known as cavitation. The sound waves produce tiny air bubbles on instrument surfaces, which scrub tightly adhering or embedded particles from solid surfaces. Ultrasonic cleaning is particularly effective in removing soil deposits from hard- to-reach areas.