HOSPITAL & SURGICAL SANITATION

DEFINE ASEPSIS

AN ABSENCE OF LIVING PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS IN THE BODY.

DEFINE SEPSIS

THE PRESENCE OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS AND THE TOXINS THEY PRODUCE WITHIN THE BODY.

Explain the difference between STERILIZATION and DISINFECTION

STERILIZATION: The process of eliminating ALL microorganisms within an environment.

DISINFECTION: The process of killing or reducing pathogenic microorganisms ONLY.

Is an antiseptic an agent utilized on an animate or inanimate object?

ANIMATE OBJECTS: This term is generally applied in reference to living tissues.

What is a FOMITE?

AN INANIMATE OBJECT OR MATERIAL ON WHICH PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS PRODUCING DISEASES MAY BE TRANSPORTED OR CARRIED TO OTHER PLACES.

What does the term “NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION” refer to?

AN INFECTION THAT IS ACQUIRED FROM HOSPITALS.

What are the purposes of Hospital Sanitation as indicated?

TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION AND THE SPREAD OF DISEASES. IT MAY ALSO ALLOW CLIENTS TO FEEL BETTER IF THE HOSPITAL SMELLS CLEAN AND FRESH.

List some of the qualities of an IDEAL DISINFECTANT

- NON-CORROSIVE
- NON-IRRITATING
- NON-TOXIC
- CHEAP / INEXPENSIVE

What are pheromones and how might they be utilized in a veterinary hospital?

PHEROMONES ARE SUBSTANCES THAT ARE SECRETED BY ANIMALS FROM CERTAIN AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE BODY. THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT CALMING EFFECT ON ANIMALS THAT ARE NERVOUS OR STRESSED OUT.

THEY CAN BE UTILIZED IN KENNEL ROOMS WITH THE USE OF DIFFUSERS AND THEY CAN ALSO BE SPRAYED ON TOWELS.

List THREE requirements for our kennelled patients

i) NEVER LEAVE ANIMALS LOOSE IN THE KENNEL ROOM.

ii) DOGS SHOULD BE KEPT ON LEASHES AT ALL TIMES.

iii) KENNELS SHOULD BE SCRATCH RESISTANT AND EASY TO DISINFECT FROM HARMFUL PATHOGENS CAUSING INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

What does the phrase “TWO DOOR SYSTEM” mean?

THE DOOR OF THE KENNEL ROOM MUST BE KEPT CLOSED FOR PRECAUTIONS.

What is the purpose of developing ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES?

TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS PATHOGENS CAUSING DISEASES FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

List FOUR FACTORS which may determine if an infection will occur?

i) NUMBER OF MICROORGANISMS PRESENT

iI) VIRULENCE OF THE MICROORGANISM

iii) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF PATIENT

- Age, Breed, Immune System Strength

iv) ROUTE OF EXPOSURE TO INFECTIVE AGENT

What does the STERILE FIELD encompass?

ANY AREA THAT CONTAINS SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, SURGICAL TRAYS, ANESTHETIZED PATIENTS, SURGEONS, AND EXPOSED SKIN.

Why is it important to remove organic debris before commencing with disinfection?

ORGANIC DEBRIS MAY CAUSE CERTAIN DISINFECTANTS TO LOSE THEIR SANITATION FUNCTIONS.

When preparing chemical agents for sterilization or disinfection from concentrate, what do we need to remember?

ADD WATER FIRST FOR PROPER DILUTION, THEN ADD IN THE DISINFECTANT.

List the THREE levels of cleaning

1) BASIC CLEANING

2) DISINFECTION

3) STERILIZATION

BASIC CLEANING

- Removal of foreign material and organic debris

- Reduce clutter

- General cleaning with soap or detergent

DISINFECTION

- A process that eliminates most of the pathogenic organisms on inanimate objects

- Disinfectants are generally concentrated chemical compounds that are diluted with water before use

STERILIZATION

- This usually requires special equipment

- A process that kills all forms of microorganisms on inanimate objects

Give an example of a CRITICAL ITEM

IV CATHETERS

Give an example of a SEMI-CRITICAL ITEM

ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE

Give an example of a NON-CRITICAL ITEM

CLIPPER BLADES

IS CHLORHEXIDINE A COMMONLY USED ANTISEPTIC AGENT?

YES

GLUTARALDEHYDE solution is commonly used for a "cold sterile" instrument soak, what factors do we need to consider if trying to determine that the instruments are in fact sterile?

- THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HAS ELAPSED WITH THE INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOAK.

- ALL ORGANIC DEBRIS HAS BEEN CLEANED PRIOR TO IMMERSING THE INSTRUMENTS.

What can you tell about ETHYLENE OXIDE?

- A GAS CHEMICAL METHOD WHICH ACHIEVES STERILIZATION

- AN ALKYLATING AGENT

- EXPLOSIVE & FLAMMABLE

- VERY TOXIC

- IT IS USED TO STERILIZE DELICATE INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS PLASTIC AND RUBBER

What is the purpose of the AUTOCLAVE?

TO EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY STERILIZE THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

The efficacy of the autoclave is dependant on which THREE factors?

1) PRESSURE

2) TEMPERATURE

3) THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WAS MAINTAINED FOR BOTH

WHAT IS THE KILLING AGENT OF THE AUTOCLAVE?

HEAT

Describe the three methods of quality control that may be used to ensure that the autoclaves are working properly

1) INDICATOR TAPES - The item has been through the autoclave but does not indicate that the item is in fact sterile.

2) STERILE INDICATOR STRIPS - They show that the parameters for sterility have been met.

3) BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS - They expose bacterial spores to the autoclave system, which is then sent to labs for experimentation.

Why is it essential not to over pack the autoclave chamber?

THE STEAM NEEDS ROOM TO CIRCULATE

What is the rule of thumb regarding order of treatment with sick patients in isolation verses those in the general area of the hospital?

UNLESS THE PATIENT IN ISOLATION IS CRITICAL, PERFORM THE NECESSARY TREATMENTS FOR THE PATIENTS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE HOSPITAL FIRST, THEN TREAT THE PATIENTS IN ISOLATION.