Random Droppings

(OK, maybe I'll skip the surgical prep.)

This is from a presentation I give to technicians, and we're starting up our training sessions again, so now's a good time to review it.

“Sterilization means the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial endospores. The major sterilizing agents used in hospitals are a) moist heat by steam autoclaving, b) ethylene oxide gas, and c) dry heat. However, there are a variety of chemical germicides (sterilants) that have been used for purposes of reprocessing reusable heat-sensitive medical devices and appear to be effective when used appropriately, i.e., according to manufacturer's instructions. These chemicals are rarely used for sterilization, but appear to be effective for high-level disinfection of medical devices that come into contact with mucous membranes during use (e.g., flexible fiberoptic endoscopes).” CDC, Sterilization or Disinfection of Medical Devices: General Principles


The shorter version: The destruction of all micro-organisms in or about an object, by steam, chemical agents or by ionizing radiation.


“Disinfection means the use of a chemical procedure that eliminates virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms but not necessarily all microbial forms (e.g., bacterial endospores) on inanimate objects. There are three levels of disinfection: high, intermediate, and low. High-level disinfection kills all organisms, except high levels of bacterial spores, and is effected with a chemical germicide cleared for marketing as a sterilant by the Food and Drug Administration. Intermediate-level disinfection kills mycobacteria, most viruses, and bacteria with a chemical germicide registered as a "tuberculocide" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Low-level disinfection kills some viruses and bacteria with a chemical germicide registered as a hospital disinfectant by the EPA.” CDC, Sterilization or Disinfection of Medical Devices: General Principles


Shorter version: To reduce the contamination of a surface by cleaning with disinfectant; Destruction of pathogenic micro-organisms (or toxins or vectors) by exposure to chemical or physical agents.