phase 4; infection control, chem, electricity

Infection control

Methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms from one individual to another

Cleaning

Removing visible debris with soap and water (required by VA)

Sanitizing

Reducing harmful organisms on a surface

Disinfecting

Chemical process of destroying most harmful microorganisms (required by VA)

Sterilization

Destroying all microorganisms using pressure and steam in an autoclave

Federal agencies

Set guidelines for the manufacture, sale, and use of equipment and chemicals

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; regulates and enforces workplace safety

SDS

Safety Data Sheet; lists hazardous ingredients, safe handling, precautions, and procedures for chemical products

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; registers disinfectants, all disinfectants used must be EPA-registered

CDC

Centers for Disease Control; sets standard precautions assuming all body fluids are infectious

State regulatory agencies

Regulate licensing, enforcement, and conduct on the job

Licensing agencies

Examples: dpor.virginia.gov

Health department

State agency involved in enforcement of sanitation and safety standards

Infection

Invasion of body tissues by disease-causing pathogens

Disease

Abnormal condition of the body or its systems that prevents normal functioning

Direct transmission

Direct contact with an infected person (shaking hands, talking)

Indirect transmission

Touching a contaminated object (doorknob, tweezers)

Airborne and respiratory droplets

Spread through sneezing or coughing

Bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal labels

Indicate products that can destroy specific microorganisms

Contagious/communicable disease

Can be spread from one person to another

Local infection

Confined to one area

General (systemic) infection

Spread throughout the whole body

Immunity

Body’s ability to destroy and resist infection

Natural (innate) immunity

Body’s natural resistance due to anatomy, white blood cells, and lymphatic system

Acquired immunity

Developed after overcoming disease or through vaccination

Antibodies

Specific immune proteins that fight antigens (foreign invaders)

Infectious disease

Disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body

Bacterial spores

Bacteria with protective coatings that survive harsh environments

Microorganisms

Any organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size

Bacteria

One-celled microorganisms; can be pathogenic (harmful) or nonpathogenic (harmless)

Motility

Bacteria’s self-movement using flagella or cilia

Binary fission

Bacterial reproduction process

Spores

Waxy outer shell protecting bacteria from unfavorable conditions

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria causing tuberculosis; found in soil and water

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria causing syphilis and Lyme disease

Cocci

Round-shaped bacteria; appear alone or in groups

Staphylococci

Cluster-forming cocci; causes abscesses and MRSA

Diplococci

Pair-forming cocci; causes pneumonia

Streptococci

Chain-forming cocci; causes strep throat

Viruses

Submicroscopic particles that infect and live inside a host

Incubation period

Time a virus can remain dormant/asymptomatic

HPV

Human Papilloma Virus; causes warts and some cancers

HSV

Herpes Simplex Virus; type 1 causes cold sores, type 2 causes genital herpes

Bloodborne pathogens

Microorganisms in blood or body fluids that cause disease

Hepatitis

Affects the liver and can live outside the body for long periods

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Fungi

Microscopic plant-like organisms including molds and yeasts

Tinea barbae

Barber’s itch; fungal infection of the beard area

Tinea capitis

Fungal infection of the scalp

Tinea corporis

Ringworm; fungal infection of the skin

Tinea versicolor

“Sun fungus”; fungal infection causing light or dark spots

Tinea pedis

Athlete’s foot; fungal infection of the feet

Parasites

Organisms that live on or in another organism (host)

Head lice

Pediculosis capitis

Scabies

Itch mites that burrow under the skin

Biofilm

Colony of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and create a protective layer

Contamination

Presence of infectious material

Decontamination

Removal of infectious material

Pathogenic disease

Disease caused by harmful microorganisms

Toxin

Poisonous substance produced by microorganisms or plants/animals

Biohazard label

Fluorescent orange/yellow or red label with biohazard symbol

Cleaning methods

Soap, warm water, and nail brush; ultrasonic unit; chemical cleaner

Hand washing

Use antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer/alcohol

Types of disinfectants

Quats, tuberculocidal solutions, phenolics, bleach (10% sodium hypochlorite)

Aseptic procedure

Proper handling of sterilized/disinfected equipment to prevent contamination

Asymptomatic

Showing no symptoms

PPE (personal protective equipment)

Lab coat, gloves, glasses (required when bloodborne pathogens are present)

Professional responsibility

Follow laws and regulations, maintain license, check rule updates, and keep emergency contacts handy

Acidic solution

Solution with a pH below 7 (neutral)

Alkaline solution

Solution with a pH above 7

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)

Acids derived from plants (mostly fruits) used to exfoliate the skin

Ammonia

Colorless gas with a pungent odor made of hydrogen and nitrogen

Anion

Ion with a negative electrical charge

Cation

Ion with a positive electrical charge

Chemistry

Science dealing with composition, structure, and properties of matter and how matter changes under conditions

Electron

Subatomic particle with a negative charge

Element

Simplest form of chemical matter; cannot be broken down further without loss of identity

Emulsifier

Ingredient that binds normally incompatible materials into a stable mixture

Endothermic reaction

Chemical reaction that absorbs energy or heat from an external source

Exothermic reaction

Chemical reaction that releases heat

Glycerin

Sweet, colorless, oily substance used as a solvent and moisturizer

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting (water-loving)

Immiscible

Liquids that cannot be mixed into a stable solution

Ion

Atom or molecule carrying an electrical charge

Ionization

Process of separating an atom or molecule into positive and negative ions

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass (weight)

Lipophilic

Attracted to oil and fat (oil-loving)

Molecule

Chemical combination of two or more atoms in fixed proportions

Oil-in-water emulsion

Oil droplets emulsified in water (O/W)

pH

Potential hydrogen; measures hydrogen ion concentration

pH scale

Measures acidity and alkalinity; ranges from 0–14, 7 is neutral

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Required by law for all sold products; includes hazard and handling info

Sodium hydroxide

Strong alkali used in chemical products and cleansers; also called lye

Solution

Stable mixture of two or more substances

Solvent

Substance that dissolves the solute to form a solution

Water-in-oil emulsion

Water droplets emulsified in oil (W/O)

Electricity

Movement of electrons along a conductor; form of energy showing magnetic, chemical, or thermal effects

Electric current

Flow of electricity along a conductor

Conductor

Material that easily transmits electricity; metals like copper

Nonconductor (insulator)

Material that does not transmit electricity; rubber, wood, glass, etc.