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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of sterilization?
What is the purpose of sterilization?
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?
Which method is NOT suitable for sterilizing powders and some plastics?
Which method is NOT suitable for sterilizing powders and some plastics?
What is the primary purpose of cleaning?
What is the primary purpose of cleaning?
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Which method is very reliable and efficient for sterilizing instruments and glassware?
Which method is very reliable and efficient for sterilizing instruments and glassware?
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What is the purpose of disinfection?
What is the purpose of disinfection?
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Which method uses moist heat under pressure for sterilization?
Which method uses moist heat under pressure for sterilization?
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What does handwashing contribute to in infection control practices?
What does handwashing contribute to in infection control practices?
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What is the main goal of using protective clothing in infection control practices?
What is the main goal of using protective clothing in infection control practices?
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'Management of Linen' in infection control practices primarily involves:
'Management of Linen' in infection control practices primarily involves:
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What is the recommended temperature range for the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) according to the text?
What is the recommended temperature range for the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) according to the text?
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Which humidity range is suggested for the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) ?
Which humidity range is suggested for the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) ?
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In which direction should the airflow be directed in the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) according to the text?
In which direction should the airflow be directed in the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) according to the text?
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What should be done with items before sterilization, according to the rules of sterilization ?
What should be done with items before sterilization, according to the rules of sterilization ?
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Which method of monitoring the sterilization process is considered most important as per the text?
Which method of monitoring the sterilization process is considered most important as per the text?
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What type of monitoring involves using color or physical change indicators to monitor exposure to sterilizing agents/conditions,?
What type of monitoring involves using color or physical change indicators to monitor exposure to sterilizing agents/conditions,?
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Which organism is recommended for biological monitoring of sterilizers as per the text?
Which organism is recommended for biological monitoring of sterilizers as per the text?
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What is NOT considered suitable wrapping material for the sterilization process based on the text?
What is NOT considered suitable wrapping material for the sterilization process based on the text?
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At what temperature does boiling occur, as mentioned in the text?
At what temperature does boiling occur, as mentioned in the text?
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What types of microorganisms can low level disinfectants kill?
What types of microorganisms can low level disinfectants kill?
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Which disinfectants are capable of killing everything except spores?
Which disinfectants are capable of killing everything except spores?
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What is the effect of intermediate level disinfectants on non-enveloped (non-lipid) viruses at normal contact times?
What is the effect of intermediate level disinfectants on non-enveloped (non-lipid) viruses at normal contact times?
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Which type of microorganisms are NOT affected by low level disinfectants at normal contact times?
Which type of microorganisms are NOT affected by low level disinfectants at normal contact times?
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Which type of microorganisms are NOT affected by intermediate level disinfectants at normal contact times?
Which type of microorganisms are NOT affected by intermediate level disinfectants at normal contact times?
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What factors can affect the effectiveness of disinfectants?
What factors can affect the effectiveness of disinfectants?
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Which type of item has the minimum standard requirement of sterilization according to the text?
Which type of item has the minimum standard requirement of sterilization according to the text?
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What procedure is preferred but not absolutely essential for semi-critical items?
What procedure is preferred but not absolutely essential for semi-critical items?
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Which type of items have a low risk of transmitting infections and do not ordinarily touch the patient or touch only intact skin?
Which type of items have a low risk of transmitting infections and do not ordinarily touch the patient or touch only intact skin?
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Which type of microorganisms can low level disinfectants typically kill at normal contact times?
Which type of microorganisms can low level disinfectants typically kill at normal contact times?
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What is the primary categorization for items that will be introduced directly into the blood stream or other normally sterile areas?
What is the primary categorization for items that will be introduced directly into the blood stream or other normally sterile areas?
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Which method is recommended for destroying vegetative microbes, fungal spores, tubercle bacilli, and small non-lipid viruses on semi-critical items?
Which method is recommended for destroying vegetative microbes, fungal spores, tubercle bacilli, and small non-lipid viruses on semi-critical items?
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What risk of causing infection is associated with semi-critical items?
What risk of causing infection is associated with semi-critical items?
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What is the nature of the contact that non-critical items have with patients?
What is the nature of the contact that non-critical items have with patients?
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Which type of disinfectant is mentioned in the text as a strong oxidizing agent and a high level disinfectant?
Which type of disinfectant is mentioned in the text as a strong oxidizing agent and a high level disinfectant?
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What action is explicitly advised against in relation to disinfectant containers?
What action is explicitly advised against in relation to disinfectant containers?
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What should be done with open containers of disinfectants in a hospital environment?
What should be done with open containers of disinfectants in a hospital environment?
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Which type of disinfectant is suggested as an environmentally friendly option with a broad spectrum of action, suitable for semi-critical items?
Which type of disinfectant is suggested as an environmentally friendly option with a broad spectrum of action, suitable for semi-critical items?
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What is explicitly recommended to be checked before disinfection of articles?
What is explicitly recommended to be checked before disinfection of articles?
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Which disinfectant mentioned in the text is a combination of chlorine, alcohol, and glycerine?
Which disinfectant mentioned in the text is a combination of chlorine, alcohol, and glycerine?
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What should one do with empty disinfectant containers?
What should one do with empty disinfectant containers?
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What is advised in relation to the use of disinfectants for sterilizing instruments or equipment?
What is advised in relation to the use of disinfectants for sterilizing instruments or equipment?
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Which type of disinfectant is described in the text as containing chloroxynelol and being clear soluble?
Which type of disinfectant is described in the text as containing chloroxynelol and being clear soluble?
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What should NOT be done with disinfectant containers between each use according to the text?
What should NOT be done with disinfectant containers between each use according to the text?
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What is the recommended disinfectant for staff hand disinfection?
What is the recommended disinfectant for staff hand disinfection?
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Which area requires routine preoperative skin disinfection?
Which area requires routine preoperative skin disinfection?
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What is the role of the pharmacy in ensuring cleanliness as per the text?
What is the role of the pharmacy in ensuring cleanliness as per the text?
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Which method is NOT recommended for disinfecting theatres based on the text?
Which method is NOT recommended for disinfecting theatres based on the text?
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What is required for the proper use of disinfectants according to the text?
What is required for the proper use of disinfectants according to the text?
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Which activity is NOT considered a myth about disinfection in operating theatres as per the text?
Which activity is NOT considered a myth about disinfection in operating theatres as per the text?
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What is the primary requirement for ensuring the availability of a proper Disinfection Policy as per the text?
What is the primary requirement for ensuring the availability of a proper Disinfection Policy as per the text?
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Study Notes
Purpose of Sterilization
- Aims to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
- Essential for ensuring the safety of medical and laboratory instruments.
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization
- Disinfection reduces the number of pathogens but does not eliminate all microorganisms; sterilization achieves complete microbial destruction.
- Disinfection is commonly used on inanimate surfaces, while sterilization is necessary for critical items in healthcare.
Method Not Suitable for Sterilizing Powders and Plastics
- Ethylene oxide is often unsuitable due to its potential adverse effects on some plastics and powdered substances.
Primary Purpose of Cleaning
- Removes dirt, debris, and organic material to improve the effectiveness of disinfection and sterilization processes.
- Fundamental prerequisite for effective infection control.
Reliable Method for Sterilizing Instruments and Glassware
- Autoclaving, which uses steam under high pressure, is recognized for its reliability and efficiency in sterilization.
Purpose of Disinfection
- Reduces the risk of infection by eliminating or reducing harmful microorganisms on surfaces and instruments.
- Critical in maintaining hygiene in healthcare settings.
Method Using Moist Heat Under Pressure
- Autoclaving is the method that achieves sterilization through the application of moist heat under pressure.
Handwashing Contribution to Infection Control
- Significantly reduces the spread of pathogens, acting as a primary defense mechanism in infection control practices.
Goal of Protective Clothing in Infection Control
- To create a barrier that protects healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious agents.
- Essential for minimizing the risk of disease transmission.
Management of Linen in Infection Control
- Involves proper handling, cleaning, and storage to prevent contamination and spread of infectious agents.
Recommended Temperature Range for CSSD
- Typically maintained between 20-24°C to ensure optimal conditions for sterilization processes.
Suggested Humidity Range for CSSD
- Ideal relative humidity is between 30% to 60%, crucial for preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.
Airflow Direction in CSSD
- Airflow should be directed from clean areas to contaminated ones to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Items Pre-Stabilization
- Items must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before sterilization to ensure effective microbial eradication.
Most Important Monitoring Method for Sterilization
- Biological monitoring is considered the most critical method for verifying the efficacy of the sterilization process.
Type of Monitoring with Indicators
- Chemical indicators use color change to confirm exposure to sterilizing conditions, indicating whether the process was effective.
Recommended Organism for Biological Monitoring
- Geobacillus stearothermophilus is commonly used as a biological indicator for confirming sterilization efficacy.
Unsuitable Wrapping Material for Sterilization
- Plastic wraps that do not allow for steam penetration are deemed unsuitable for guaranteeing effective sterilization.
Temperature of Boiling
- Boiling occurs at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure, a critical temperature relevant for disinfection.
Low-Level Disinfectants Microbial Efficacy
- Capable of killing certain bacteria, fungi, and some lipid-based viruses but are ineffective against spores and non-lipid viruses.
Disinfectants Killing Everything Except Spores
- High-level disinfectants effectively kill most pathogens, including non-spore-forming bacteria and viruses, but not bacterial spores.
Effect of Intermediate-Level Disinfectants
- Typically effective against non-enveloped viruses at normal contact times, providing reliable disinfection.
Microorganisms Not Affected by Low-Level Disinfectants
- Spore-forming bacteria and certain non-lipid viruses are generally not affected at standard contact times.
Microorganisms Not Affected by Intermediate-Level Disinfectants
- High-resistant bacterial spores and certain types of non-lipid viruses are also not effectively killed.
Factors Affecting Disinfectant Effectiveness
- Concentration, contact time, temperature, presence of organic matter, and type of microorganism can influence efficacy.
Minimum Sterilization Standard Requirement
- Critical items like surgical instruments and devices that enter sterile tissue require a minimum of sterilization.
Preferred Procedure for Semi-Critical Items
- High-level disinfection is preferred but not strictly required for semi-critical items, which often contact mucous membranes.
Low-Risk Item Characteristics
- Non-critical items have a low risk of transmitting infections and either do not touch patients or only contact intact skin.
Microorganisms Killed by Low-Level Disinfectants
- Effective against certain vegetative bacteria and fungi, but not against all pathogens at all times.
Primary Categorization for Directing Items into Sterile Areas
- Critical items designated for direct introduction into the bloodstream or sterile areas demand strict sterilization compliance.
Recommended Method for Semi-Critical Items
- High-level disinfection is advised to eliminate most bacteria and certain viruses on semi-critical items.
Infection Risk Associated with Semi-Critical Items
- These items carry a moderate risk of transmitting infections due to potential exposure to mucous membranes.
Contact Nature of Non-Critical Items
- Non-critical items usually contact only intact skin or are not in direct contact with patients, limiting infection risk.
Strong Oxidizing Agent as a High-Level Disinfectant
- Sodium hypochlorite is recognized as a strong oxidizing agent and effective high-level disinfectant.
Actions Advised Against for Disinfectant Containers
- Avoid transferring disinfectants from original containers to ensure safety and maintain integrity.
Management of Open Containers in Hospital Environment
- Open disinfectant containers should be checked regularly for contamination and disposed of according to protocols when necessary.
Environmentally Friendly Disinfectant Suggestion
- Hydrogen peroxide is proposed as an eco-friendly disinfectant with broad-spectrum action suitable for semi-critical items.
Check Before Disinfection
- Ensuring the articles are clean and free of visible organic material is crucial prior to disinfection.
Combination Disinfectant Mentioned
- Biocide named as a combination of chlorine, alcohol, and glycerine is noted for its disinfection properties.
Action for Empty Disinfectant Containers
- Empty disinfectant containers should be disposed of safely according to hazardous waste guidelines.
Use of Disinfectants for Sterilizing Instruments
- It is advised against using disinfectants as substitutes for appropriate sterilization methods on instruments and equipment.
Disinfectant Containing Chloroxylenol
- A disinfectant with chloroxylenol is noted for its clear solubility and efficacy in healthcare environments.
Recommended Practice for Disinfectant Containers
- Ensure disinfectant containers are not allowed to contact each other or share tops to prevent contamination.
Recommended Disinfectant for Hand Disinfection
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended for effective hand hygiene among staff members.
Area Requiring Routine Preoperative Skin Disinfection
- Surgical sites or areas where invasive procedures will occur require thorough preoperative skin disinfection.
Pharmacy's Role in Cleanliness
- The pharmacy is responsible for ensuring the provision of sanitized diluents and medications, reinforcing overall cleanliness standards.
Not Recommended Method for Theatre Disinfection
- Certain aerosolized disinfectants are discouraged due to potential respiratory irritant effects on staff and patients.
Requirement for Proper Use of Disinfectants
- Adherence to manufacturer guidelines and protocols is required for the effective and safe use of disinfectants.
Non-Myth Activity in Operating Theatres
- Regular cleaning of surfaces between surgical procedures is crucial and not a myth regarding disinfection practices.
Primary Requirement for Disinfection Policy Availability
- A comprehensive and accessible disinfection policy is essential for maintaining hygiene standards in healthcare facilities.
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Test your knowledge of the basis of infection control practices, including principles, handwashing, protective clothing, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, waste management, and more.