General Information
Contains utility gloves, counter space, a sink, waste disposal, an ultrasonic cleaner, and supplies for wrapping instruments prior to sterilization.
What is the contaminated area?
These surfaces include floors, walls, and sinks
What are housekeeping surfaces?
Chemicals that are applied to inanimate surfaces
What is a disinfectant?
Instruments are classified into these categories
What are gloves?
Used to loosen and remove debris from intruments
What is an ultrasonic cleaner?
These surfaces can be directly contaminated by direct spray or spatter during dental procedures or by contact with gloved hands
What are clinical contact surfaces?
Agency with guidelines stating carpet and cloth-furnishings should be avoided.
What is the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)?
What is hand scrubbing?
Blood, saliva and debris.
What is bioburden?
Destroys all microbial forms of life, including spores
What is sterilization?
Directly touched and contaminated during treatment procedures; surfaces include dental light handles, chair switches, computers, pens, and dental handles
What is touch surfaces?
EPA registered intermediate-level hospital grade disinfectant with broad-spectrum activity; meaning it can kill a wide range of microbes
What are synthetic phenols or iodophors?
Used to sterilize instruments and other items by means of steam under pressure
What is an autoclave?
Action continues long after initial application of disinfectant.
What is residual activity?
Disadvantage of this method of sterilization is that unwrapped instruments are no longer sterile once they are removed from the sterilizer
What is flash sterilization?
Not directly touched but often touched by contaminated instruments; include trays and handpiece holders
What is transfer surfaces?
The ADA, CDC, and OSAP do not recommend this as an environmental disinfectant
What is alcohol?
Uses a combination of formaldehyde, acetone, ketone, and water to create vapor to sterilize
What is unsaturated chemical vapor sterilization?
Capable of killing a wide range of microbes.
What is broad-spectrum?
The only way to determine whether sterilization has occurred and to confirm that all bacteria and endospores have been killed
What is biologic monitoring?
Do not actually contact members of the dental team or contaminate instruments or supplies; include countertops
What are splash, spatter, and droplet surfaces?
High-level disinfectant/sterilant are often effective for this many days
What is 28?
Must be used for items that are not able to withstand heat sterilization.
What is immersion sterilant?
Inadequate instrument cleaning, improper packaging, improper loading, improper timing, and improper temperature.
What are sterilization errors?