Infection Control Chapter 11: Hand Hygiene Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering skin flora types, handwashing agents, aseptic procedures, and safety guidelines from Infection Control Chapter 11.

Hand hygiene

The primary disease prevention procedure for health care workers in dentistry and medicine.

Resident skin flora

Microorganisms that become permanent residents several layers under the skin surface, which can never be totally removed even with surgical scrubbing.

Transient skin flora

Microorganisms that usually reside on outer layers of skin, serve as a primary source of disease spread, and can be removed or greatly reduced by routine hand washing.

Plain soap and water

Hand hygiene agent without antimicrobial activity that removes dirt and transient microorganisms well, but has little effect on resident flora.

Healthcare handwashing products

Hand hygiene agents containing low to medium levels of antibacterial agents that minimize transient microorganisms and reduce resident bacteria.

Surgical scrub products

Products containing high levels of antimicrobial agents used in vigorous scrubbing procedures before surgical procedures to achieve maximum reduction of transient flora.

Alcohol-based hand rubs

Quick and easy hand hygiene agents used when hands are not visibly soiled, capable of reducing viable bacterial counts on hands more than plain or antimicrobial soap.

Chlorhexidine digluconate

An antimicrobial agent used in hand hygiene products that binds to skin to provide a prolonged release of antimicrobial activity.

Alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol, propanol)

Antimicrobial agents in hand hygiene products that offer fast and broad-spectrum activity.

Nail brush

A cleaning tool used during the first handwash of the day prior to treating patients.

Microbial proliferation under gloves

The dramatic growth of resident or transient skin flora, which can increase as great as 4000-fold per hour when hands are tightly covered with gloves.

Latex-degrading lotion ingredients

Lotion bases containing petroleum, lanolin, mineral oil, palm oil, or coconut oil that can break down the protective factor of latex gloves.

Safe lotion ingredients

Lotion additives including aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin E, or vitamin A that prevent skin dryness without breaking down latex gloves.

Artificial nails

Nails prohibited for dental team members because they harbor microbes and hinder thorough cleaning.