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Questions and Answers
Equipment that generates dust, such as feather dusters, should be used in healthcare facilities.
Equipment that generates dust, such as feather dusters, should be used in healthcare facilities.
False
Spray bottles should be used in healthcare facilities to minimize aerosol generation.
Spray bottles should be used in healthcare facilities to minimize aerosol generation.
False
Cleaning cloths should be chosen based on their purpose, availability, and effectiveness.
Cleaning cloths should be chosen based on their purpose, availability, and effectiveness.
True
Which of the following should be cleaned last when cleaning a bathroom?
Which of the following should be cleaned last when cleaning a bathroom?
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The flow of cleaning should be from dirty areas to clean areas.
The flow of cleaning should be from dirty areas to clean areas.
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Dusting techniques should disperse dust to avoid unnecessary wiping.
Dusting techniques should disperse dust to avoid unnecessary wiping.
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High-touch surfaces should be cleaned more frequently than low-touch surfaces.
High-touch surfaces should be cleaned more frequently than low-touch surfaces.
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A functional area is defined as any space within a healthcare facility where cleaning occurs.
A functional area is defined as any space within a healthcare facility where cleaning occurs.
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What factors determine the risk classification of a functional area?
What factors determine the risk classification of a functional area?
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A higher risk classification indicates that a functional area should be cleaned less frequently.
A higher risk classification indicates that a functional area should be cleaned less frequently.
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Standard cleaning is the minimum level of cleaning required for all functional areas, regardless of perceived cleanliness.
Standard cleaning is the minimum level of cleaning required for all functional areas, regardless of perceived cleanliness.
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Transmission-based cleaning is only required for patients with confirmed or suspected infections.
Transmission-based cleaning is only required for patients with confirmed or suspected infections.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of transmission-based cleaning?
Which of the following is NOT a type of transmission-based cleaning?
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Discharge cleaning should be conducted only after a patient has passed away.
Discharge cleaning should be conducted only after a patient has passed away.
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When should spot and spill cleaning be performed?
When should spot and spill cleaning be performed?
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Sterilization is the destruction of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
Sterilization is the destruction of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
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Disinfection kills only vegetative forms of microorganisms.
Disinfection kills only vegetative forms of microorganisms.
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An outbreak is a term used for a single isolated case of an infection.
An outbreak is a term used for a single isolated case of an infection.
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Which of the following is a characteristic of a pandemic:?
Which of the following is a characteristic of a pandemic:?
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An endemic disease is one that is constantly present in a particular region or community.
An endemic disease is one that is constantly present in a particular region or community.
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The initial stage of a disease outbreak is often small and unnoticed.
The initial stage of a disease outbreak is often small and unnoticed.
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The occurrence of two or more similar cases related to place and time is considered a cluster, which may be classified as an outbreak.
The occurrence of two or more similar cases related to place and time is considered a cluster, which may be classified as an outbreak.
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In a common source outbreak, cases occur due to a shared exposure, such as an operation or the consumption of contaminated food.
In a common source outbreak, cases occur due to a shared exposure, such as an operation or the consumption of contaminated food.
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An epidemic curve is a graph that illustrates cases of a disease over time, helping to determine the source of the infection.
An epidemic curve is a graph that illustrates cases of a disease over time, helping to determine the source of the infection.
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The investigation of an outbreak should begin with the recognition of an increased number of cases or the prevalence of an organism.
The investigation of an outbreak should begin with the recognition of an increased number of cases or the prevalence of an organism.
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Immediate control measures, such as isolation and handwashing, should be taken only after the outbreak has been confirmed.
Immediate control measures, such as isolation and handwashing, should be taken only after the outbreak has been confirmed.
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The primary goal of an outbreak investigation is to identify the source of the outbreak and implement specific control measures.
The primary goal of an outbreak investigation is to identify the source of the outbreak and implement specific control measures.
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Microbiological investigations are not necessary for identifying the causative organism during an outbreak.
Microbiological investigations are not necessary for identifying the causative organism during an outbreak.
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Monitoring for further cases should be discontinued once the outbreak has been resolved.
Monitoring for further cases should be discontinued once the outbreak has been resolved.
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An outbreak investigation should be conducted by healthcare professionals only, without involving the administration and other departments.
An outbreak investigation should be conducted by healthcare professionals only, without involving the administration and other departments.
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The goal of standard cleaning is to maintain basic hygiene, while transmission-based cleaning addresses specific infection control concerns.
The goal of standard cleaning is to maintain basic hygiene, while transmission-based cleaning addresses specific infection control concerns.
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Strict handwashing is often the single most important factor in controlling the spread of infections.
Strict handwashing is often the single most important factor in controlling the spread of infections.
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Study Notes
Environmental Cleaning & Disinfectants
- All cleaning equipment must be suitable for its intended purpose, cleaned thoroughly, and stored dry to maintain good hygiene
- Equipment generating dust, like feather dusters, is not permitted
- Avoid spray bottles or equipment creating aerosols during cleaning, as chemicals in aerosols can irritate eyes and mucous membranes
- Use squeeze bottles that apply disinfectants directly to surfaces or cloths, minimizing aerosol generation
- Use appropriate cleaning cloths, ensuring a sufficient quantity for each area to prevent cross-contamination
- Reusable cloths should be laundered daily according to standard laundry procedures, or single-use cloths can be used in areas with higher contamination risk
- Detergent and/or disinfectant wipes are useful for small items, like equipment or high-touch surfaces in clinical outpatient areas (e.g., radiology)
- Wipes are not suitable for large areas; many are needed, are expensive and not effective
Cleaning Techniques
- Cleaning should proceed from relatively clean areas to dirtier ones
- Areas with low or light soiling are cleaned before high-touch, heavily soiled areas (e.g., cleaning a bathroom: clean the sink and countertop first, then the toilet)
- Clean from high to low areas (dust high surfaces initially) and use damp cloths to avoid dispersing dust during cleaning
- Avoid reusing cloths by dipping them repeatedly into the same cleaning bucket, preventing contamination of clean cloths
- “High-touch surfaces,” require more cleaning cloths
Cleaning Schedule
- A cleaning schedule should be determined based on the risk level of functional areas
- High-risk areas (e.g., intensive care units, operating rooms) require more frequent cleaning than lower-risk areas (e.g., administrative offices)
- Cleaning frequency should be elevated in cases of outbreaks. The outbreak status is temporary and adjusted after the situation settles
- In single-case outbreaks, the method for cleaning is intensified in the isolated area
- In outbreak circumstances involving multiple cases sharing a similar infection, cleaning intensity extends across the entire functional area
Sterilization and Disinfection
- Sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including spores
- Sterilization can be achieved through physical (heat) or chemical (ethylene oxide) methods
- Sterilization is necessary for medical devices interacting with sterile body sites and parenteral fluids/medications
- Prior to sterilization, equipment should be cleaned to remove visible soiling
- Disinfection kills vegetative (growing) pathogens
- Sodium hypochlorite or 70% alcohol are common disinfectants
Investigation of an Outbreak
- An outbreak is characterized by more cases than expected in an area or time frame
- An epidemic is the more widespread increase in cases
- A pandemic is a widespread epidemic across multiple countries
- Identifying and confirming an outbreak is essential for controlling its spread
- Steps to Investigate an outbreak include: recognizing the situation and the potential infectious agent, gathering data, determining the possible cause and implementing control measures to stop the spread of the infectious disease
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Description
This quiz focuses on best practices for environmental cleaning and disinfectants. It covers essential guidelines for maintaining hygiene, including suitable cleaning equipment, handling cleaning agents, and cross-contamination prevention. Test your knowledge on effective cleaning protocols in clinical settings.
