Vocab - Ch 20: Principles and Techniques of Disinfection

antiseptic

chemical agent that slows or stops growth of microorganisms on the skin

bioburden

presence of microbes found on a surface from blood, saliva, and other body fluids

broad-spectrum activity

capable of killing a wide range of microbes

chlorine dioxide

effective, rapid-acting environmental surface disinfectant or chemical sterilant

clinical contact surface

surface touched by contaminated hands, instruments, or spatter during dental treatment

disinfectant

chemical used to reduce or lower the number of microorganisms on inanimate objects

environmental surface

surface within a healthcare facility that is not directly involved in patient care, but that may become contaminated during the course of treatment (e.g., countertops, floors, walls, instrument control panels)

fungicidal

product that is capable of killing fungi

glutaraldehyde

EPA registered high-level disinfectant

greener infection control

minimizing the environmental impact from infection control products and procedures

high-level disinfectant

hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal activity

hospital disinfectant

disinfectant with the ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

housekeeping surface

surface that has a lower resistance to disease transmission (e.g., floors, walls)

immersion disinfectant

disinfectant used for soaking heat-sensitive instruments

intermediate-level disinfectant

liquid disinfectant with EPA registration as a hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal activity; used for disinfecting operatory surfaces

iodophor

EPA-registered, intermediate-level hospital disinfectant

liquid sterilant

chemical for sterilizing room temperature those items that are damaged by heat sterilization

low-level disinfectant

disinfectant that destroys certain viruses and fungi; used for general housecleaing (e.g., walls, floors)

precleaning

removal of bioburden before disinfection

residual activity

action that continues long after initial application, as with disinfectants

reuse life

time period that a disinfectant should remain effective during use and reuse

shelf life

how long a product may be stored before use

single-use items

items that are used only once and then are thrown away

sodium hypochlorite

surface disinfectant commonly known as household bleach

splash, spatter, and droplet surface

considered housekeeping surfaces that do not come into contact with members of the dental team or contaminated instruments or supplies

sporicidal

disinfectant capable of killing bacterial spores

sterilization

process that kills all microorganisms

surface barrier

fluid-resistant material used to cover surfaces likely to become contaminated

synthetic phenol compound

EPA-registered intermediate-level hospital disinfectant with broad-spectrum disinfecting action

touch surface

surface directly touched and contaminated during a procedure

transfer surface

surface not directly touched, but often contacted by contaminated instruments

tuberculocidal

capable of inactivating tuberculosis-causing microorganisms

virucidal

capable of killing some viruses