Vocab - Ch 21: Principles and Techniques of Instrument Processing and Sterilization

autoclave

equipment for sterilization by means of moist heat under pressure

biologic indicators

• vials or strips that contain harmless bacterial spores

• used to determine whether sterilization has occurred

• aka spore tests

biologic monitoring

• verifies sterilization by confirming that all spore-forming microorganisms have been destroyed

• spore testing

• only way to determine whether sterilization has occurred

• confirms that all bacteria and endospores have been killed

clean area

place where sterilized instruments, fresh disposable supplies, and prepared trays are stored.

contaminated area

place where contaminated items are brought for precleaning

critical instrument

item used to penetrate soft tissue or bone

dry heat sterilizer

equipment for sterilization by means of heated air

endospore

resistant, dormant structure formed inside of some bacteria that can withstand adverse conditions

event related packaging

an occurance causing a sterile package to become contaminated (e.g., torn or wet packaging)

multiparameter indicators

• strips placed in packages that change color when exposed to a combination of heat, temperature, and time;

• aka process integrators

noncritical instrument

item that comes in contact with intact skin only

process indicators

• placed outside of instrument packages before sterilization

• identify instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature

• also known as single-parameter indicators

process integrators

• strips placed inside instrument packages

• responds to pressure, temperature, and time

• also known as multiparameter indicators

semicritical instrument

item that comes in contact with oral tissues but does not penetrate soft tissue or bone

single-parameter indicators

• tapes, strips, or tabs with heat sensitive chemicals that change color when exposed to a particular temperature

• also known as process indicators

ultrasonic cleaner

equipment that loosens and removes debris by sound waves traveling through a liquid

wicking

process of microorganisms being drawn through wet or damp paper packaging, contaminating the instruments inside