Infection Control- Ch 20/Key Terms-COMPLETE

Antiseptic

substance for killing microorganisms on the skin

Bioburden

blood, saliva, other bodily fluids

broad-spectrum activity

ability to kill a wide range of microorganisms

chlorine dioxide

effective, rapid acting environmental surface disinfectant or chemical sterilant

clinical contact surface

surface touched by contaminated hands, instruments, or spatter during patient care or procedures

disinfectant

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

environmental surface

surface within a healthcare facility that is not directly involved in patient care, but may become contaminated.

Example: countertops, floors, walls, instrument control panels.

fungicidal

product that is capable of killing fungi and their spores.

glutaraldehyde

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered high-level disinfectant

greener infection control

minimizing the environmental impact of 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 

house keeping surface

surface that is not contaminated during dental treatments (floors, walls)

immersion disinfectant

disinfectant used for immersion (soaking) of heat sensitive instruments

intermediate level disinfectant

liquid level disinfectant with EPA registration as a hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal activity, it is used for disinfecting operatory surfaces

iodophor

EPA-registered, intermediate level hospital disinfectant

liquid sterilant

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

low level disinfectant

disinfectant that destroys certain viruses and fungi, used for general house cleaning (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 on only one patient and then are thrown away

Sodium hypochlorite

Surface disinfectant commonly known as household bleach

Splash, splatter, and droplet surface

Surface that does not contact members of the dental team or contaminated instruments or supplies

Sporicidal

Capable of killing bacterial spores

Sterilization

Process that kills all microorganisms

Surface barrier

Fluid resistant material used to cover surfaces that are likely to become contaminated

Synthetic phenol compound

EPA registered intermediate level hospital disinfectant with broad spectrum disinfectant 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