Ch. 15 Infection Control
cavitation
When the bubbles strike the items being cleaned, they explode, a process known as cavitation, and drive the cleaning solution onto the article
droplet precautions
These guidelines call for strict enforcement of standard, contact, and droplet precautions.
anaerobic
Others, called anaerobic organisms, live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen. The human body is the ideal supplier of all the requirements of microorganisms.
helminths
are multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes.
asepsis
is defined as the absence of disease-producing microorganisms
fungi
are simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead organic matter. Yeasts and molds are two common forms that can be pathogenic.
contaminated
means that organisms and pathogens are present. Any object or area that may contain pathogens is considered to be contaminated.
bacteria
are simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly.
epidemic
occurs when the communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and affectsa large number of people at the same time
fomites
or objects contaminated with infectious material that contains the pathogens. Common fomites include doorknobs, bedpans, urinals, linens, instruments, and specimen containers.
airborne precautions
are used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei.
clean
means that objects or parts of objects do not contain disease-producing organisms and therefore have minimal chance of spreading the disease. Every effort must be made to prevent contamination of these objects or parts of objects.
contract precautions
If the defense mechanisms of the body are intact and the immune system is functioning, a human can frequently fight off the infectious agent and not contract the disease.
ebola
and Marburg first affected primates and then spread to humans. These viruses cause hemorrhagic fever, a disease that begins with flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and a skin rash. It quickly progresses to jaundice, pancreatitis, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging throughout the body, delirium, shock, and death
disinfection
This is a process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms. It is not always effective against spores and viruses.
autoclave
is the most common piece of equipment used for sterilization
bioterrorism
is the use of microorganisms, or biologic agents, as weapons to infect humans, animals, or plants.
chemical disinfection
sterilization does not occur, chemical disinfection is the appropriate term (rather than cold sterilization, a termsometimes used).A few chemicals will kill spores and viruses, but these chemicals frequently require that instr
endogenous
means the infection or disease originates within the body.
health care-associated
is an infection acquired by an individual in a health care facility such as a hospital or long-term care facility.
communicable disease
is caused bya pathogenic organism that can be easily transmitted to others.
chain of disinfection
For disease to occur and spread from one individual to another, certain conditions must be met.
aerobic
Some microorganisms, called aerobic organisms, require oxygen to live.
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suppresses the immune system
exogenous
means the infection or disease originates outside the body.