Infection Control Principles and Practices

Infection Control Principles and Practices

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers a variety of disinfectants used for surface sanitation.
• Bacteria are classified primarily into two types: pathogenic (harmful) and nonpathogenic (harmless).
• Nonpathogenic bacteria play beneficial roles such as breaking down food and protecting against infections without causing disease.
• Parasites are organisms that live on or within another organism, deriving nourishment at the host's expense.
• Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms, also referred to as microbes or germs.
• Binary fission is the process through which bacterial cells divide to form two new cells.
• Staphylococci are bacteria associated with food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
• Viruses are microscopic particles that infect living cells and require a host to replicate.
• Staphylococci grow in clusters or bunches, often resulting in pus formation.
• Non-pathogenic bacteria are considered harmless and do not cause illness.
• A virus is an infectious agent smaller than bacteria that replicates by hijacking the host cell's reproductive machinery.
• Pathogenic bacteria have the potential to produce diseases.
• An abscess serves as an example of a local infection.
• Immunity refers to the body's ability to resist or destroy infections.
• Acquired immunity develops when the body has either overcome a disease or been inoculated against it.
• Scabies, caused by the itch mite, is a contagious skin condition.
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• HIV spreads predominantly through the sharing of needles among intravenous drug users.
• Disinfection is the process that reduces most microorganisms on non-living surfaces but may not eliminate all.
• Sterilization completely destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores.
• Streptococci are pus-forming bacteria that grow in curved lines resembling a string of beads.
• Bioburden refers to the number of viable organisms or organic material on a surface before decontamination or sterilization.
• Disinfection is a high level of decontamination, second only to sterilization.
• Disinfectants are products used to kill microbes on contaminated tools and nonliving surfaces.
• Efficacy measures how effectively a disinfecting solution kills germs according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which ensures workplace safety regulations.
• The Hazard Communication Rule, established by the OSHA Act of 1970, mandates that chemical manufacturers publish Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to inform about potential hazards.
• To properly use disinfectants, it is crucial to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and completely submerge implements for disinfection.
• Disinfectants can be inactivated by oils, lotions, creams, and dust.
• Quats, short for Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, are common salon disinfectants.
• Phenols may damage certain rubber and plastic materials.
• Sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as household bleach, is used for its disinfecting properties.