Infection Control - Spaulding Classification Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the Spaulding Classification System?

A system that helps the dental professional decide which level of disinfection is appropriate for various types of reusable devices (correct)

A system for categorizing surgical procedures

A system for tracking medication administration

A system for patient assessment

What are the three categories of the Spaulding Classification System?

Critical, Semi-critical, Non-critical

What is classified as Critical in the Spaulding Classification?

Objects that enter normally sterile tissue or the vascular system require sterilization

What is classified as Semi-Critical in the Spaulding Classification?

Objects that contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin require high-level disinfection Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with the Non-Critical category?

Objects that make contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes require low-level disinfection Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment protocol for objects with a Critical classification?

Heat sterilize objects between uses or use sterile, single-use/disposable objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment protocol for objects with a Semi-Critical classification?

Heat sterilize objects or use high-level disinfectants (e.g., Glutaraldehyde & Hydrogen Peroxide) Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment protocol for objects with a Non-Critical classification?

Clean & disinfect objects using a low-level disinfectant; if visibly contaminated with blood, use an intermediate-level disinfectant Signup and view all the answers

What are high-level germicidal agents?

Inactivates all microbes except high numbers of bacterial endospores and can act as a Sterilant Signup and view all the answers

What defines intermediate-level germicidal agents?

'Hospital disinfectant' that is tuberculocidal, does not necessarily inactivate bacterial endospores Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes low-level germicidal agents?

Does not kill bacterial endospores or mycobacteria (TB), eliminates most vegetative bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses Signup and view all the answers

What are the three most resistant microorganisms?

Prions, Bacterial Endospores, Mycobacteria (TB) Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for objects categorized as Critical?

Heat sterilize between uses or use sterile, single-use/disposable devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for objects categorized as Semi-Critical?

Heat sterilize or use FDA registered high-level disinfectant (Glutaraldehyde or Hydrogen Peroxide) Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for objects categorized as Non-Critical?

Clean and disinfect using an FDA registered low-level disinfectant; if visibly contaminated, use an intermediate-level disinfectant Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spaulding Classification System

Aids dental professionals in determining appropriate disinfection levels for reusable devices.
Classification is based on the risk of infection transmission.

Categories of the Spaulding Classification System

Critical: Highest risk; requires sterilization for items entering sterile tissues or vascular systems.
Semi-Critical: Moderate risk; requires high-level disinfection for items contacting mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
Non-Critical: Lowest risk; requires low-level disinfection for items contacting intact skin.

Critical Classification

Involves items that enter sterile tissue.
All objects must be sterilized to prevent infection.

Semi-Critical Classification

Involves items that contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
High-level disinfection is necessary to reduce infection risk.

Non-Critical Classification

Involves items that come into contact with intact skin.
Requires low-level disinfection; least risk of transmission.

Treatment Protocols

Critical items: Heat sterilize between uses or use single-use/disposable items.
Semi-Critical items: Heat sterilization or high-level disinfectants like Glutaraldehyde or Hydrogen Peroxide.
Non-Critical items: Clean and disinfect with low-level disinfectants; use intermediate-level if visibly contaminated with blood.

Germicidal Agents

High-Level: Inactivates most microbes except high numbers of bacterial endospores; can act as a sterilant with prolonged exposure.
Intermediate-Level: Tuberculocidal "hospital disinfectant" that may not inactivate bacterial endospores.
Low-Level: Does not kill bacterial endospores or Mycobacteria; effective against most vegetative bacteria, some fungi, and viruses.

Resistant Microorganisms

Prions, bacterial endospores, and Mycobacteria (TB) are the three most resistant microorganisms.

Summary of Treatments

Critical: Heat sterilization or single-use devices.
Semi-Critical: Heat sterilization or FDA registered high-level disinfectants.
Non-Critical: Clean and low-level disinfection, with intermediate-level used for visibly contaminated items.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Spaulding Classification System and its application in infection control. This quiz covers the different categories of disinfection levels necessary for reusable dental devices. Understand how these classifications impact infection prevention in dental practices.