Infection Prevention Standards for
Electrolysis
(Chemical) Disinfectants - ANS-Chemical agent used on hard inanimate surfaces and
objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily
their spores.
Chemical disinfectants are classified as:
- Hospital type: The most critical for infection prevention. Used on medical and dental
instruments, floors, walls, linens, toilet seats, etc.
- General use: used in households, swimming pools and water purifiers.
They can be "high level", "intermediate-level" and "low level" according to their comparative
levels of potency and intended uses, but are not a final step in the processing of instruments.
\AEA American Electrology association - ANS-Overview of Standards:
Needles should be single use, presterilized and disposable.
Instructions for hand hygiene.
Use of gloves.
Decontamination and sterilization of reusable instruments.
Environmental control and housekeeping.
Client considerations
Pre-and post treatment
vaccinations and risk prevention
\Alcohol-based rub - ANS-Preparations containing alcohol for application to the hands in
order to reduce viable micro organisms. Used for hand antisepsis.
60% - 95% ethanol or isopropanol
\Antiseptic - ANS-A germicide used on skin or living tissue to inhibit or destroy
microorganisms on the skin. Not appropriate in any instance for disinfecting inanimate
objects Commonly used antiseptics are isopropyl alcohol (60-70%), benzalkonium chloride.
Witch hazel with 14% alcohol is an astringent, not an antiseptic, but appropriate for post
treatment.
The FDA regulates antiseptics.
\Aseptic technique - ANS-A set of specific practices used before, during and after a
procedure to protect against the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. Examples:
appropriately timed handwashing, decontamination of inanimate surfaces and instruments,
use of personal protective clothing or barriers, proper containment and disposal of waste,
consistent handling of instruments., which minimize cross contamination and reduce the risk
of exposure to pathogens..
\Autoclave (steam sterilizer) - ANS-A device used for sterilization by application of
pressurized steam and heat.
Regulated by the FDA.
\Autoclave sterilization standards - ANS-Autoclave (steam under pressure)
15-20 minutes at 121°C (250° F)
and 15 psi (pounds per square inch)
, \Bacteriostatic and fungistatics - ANS-Chemicals that simply inhibit growth temporarily. When
the effects of the chemical wears of the microbes resume growth.
\Biological indicator (BI) - ANS-A commercially prepared device with a known population of
highly resistant bacterial spores used to test the method of sterilization being monitored. Its
used to demonstrate that conditions necessary to achieve sterilization were met during the
cycle being monitored.
(*Must be used no less than once a month. Lab reports should be filed in permanent sterility
assurance file.)
Regulated by the FDA.
\CDC (Center for Disease Control) - ANS-Recommends that healthcare workers wear
gloves.
Regulates the use of sharps container.
Mandates that healthcare workers be vaccinated against hepatitis B
\Chemical indicator - ANS-A commercially prepared device used to monitor all or parts of the
physical conditions of a heat sterilization process by means of a characteristic color change,
usually chemically treated paper strips.
It does not indicate that sterilization has been achieved and most indicate only that the
temperature needed was attained. Some are capable of 'integrating' time at a particular
temperature before color change. Regulated by the FDA.
\Cleaning and other non-medical gloves - ANS-General purpose, heavy duty, reusable,
puncture resistant utility gloves (rubber household). May be used for housekeeping chores,
instrument cleaning and decontamination procedures that involve potential contact with
contaminants.
Washed and dried between each use and labeled for use by one individual. Discarded when
showing signs of deterioration. Not regulated by the FDA.
Not regulated by the FDA.
\Cleaning electrolysis instruments and other items - ANS-Basic first step for all
decontamination because physically removes all debris and reduces the number of
microorganisms present. Using detergents and water. Designed to remove rather than kill
microorganisms.
Ultrasonic cleaning units, used with enzyme detergents are examples of appropriate devices
to clean electrolysis instruments and items.
Next step is the use of a sterilizer, either dry heat or autoclave. High level disinfectant for
heat sensitive critical items. General disinfectant for other items.
\Containers for dispensing products - Standards - ANS-Containers for dispensing liquid
soap, alcohol and rubs, lotions, etc:
Disposable
If reusable need to be clean and dry before refill
Use aseptic technique for dispensing product
\Contamination - ANS-The result of being soiled, stained, touched or otherwise exposed to
harmful agents, making an object potentially unsafe for use as intended or without barrier
techniques. An example is the entry of infectious or toxic materials into a previously clean or
sterile environment.
\Critical items - ANS-The instruments or object that come in direct contact with the
bloodstream or other normally sterile areas of the body. Critical items must be pre-sterilized,
Single use and disposable. Or sterilized before use.
Examples; Instruments, Tweezers, needles.
Electrolysis
(Chemical) Disinfectants - ANS-Chemical agent used on hard inanimate surfaces and
objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily
their spores.
Chemical disinfectants are classified as:
- Hospital type: The most critical for infection prevention. Used on medical and dental
instruments, floors, walls, linens, toilet seats, etc.
- General use: used in households, swimming pools and water purifiers.
They can be "high level", "intermediate-level" and "low level" according to their comparative
levels of potency and intended uses, but are not a final step in the processing of instruments.
\AEA American Electrology association - ANS-Overview of Standards:
Needles should be single use, presterilized and disposable.
Instructions for hand hygiene.
Use of gloves.
Decontamination and sterilization of reusable instruments.
Environmental control and housekeeping.
Client considerations
Pre-and post treatment
vaccinations and risk prevention
\Alcohol-based rub - ANS-Preparations containing alcohol for application to the hands in
order to reduce viable micro organisms. Used for hand antisepsis.
60% - 95% ethanol or isopropanol
\Antiseptic - ANS-A germicide used on skin or living tissue to inhibit or destroy
microorganisms on the skin. Not appropriate in any instance for disinfecting inanimate
objects Commonly used antiseptics are isopropyl alcohol (60-70%), benzalkonium chloride.
Witch hazel with 14% alcohol is an astringent, not an antiseptic, but appropriate for post
treatment.
The FDA regulates antiseptics.
\Aseptic technique - ANS-A set of specific practices used before, during and after a
procedure to protect against the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. Examples:
appropriately timed handwashing, decontamination of inanimate surfaces and instruments,
use of personal protective clothing or barriers, proper containment and disposal of waste,
consistent handling of instruments., which minimize cross contamination and reduce the risk
of exposure to pathogens..
\Autoclave (steam sterilizer) - ANS-A device used for sterilization by application of
pressurized steam and heat.
Regulated by the FDA.
\Autoclave sterilization standards - ANS-Autoclave (steam under pressure)
15-20 minutes at 121°C (250° F)
and 15 psi (pounds per square inch)
, \Bacteriostatic and fungistatics - ANS-Chemicals that simply inhibit growth temporarily. When
the effects of the chemical wears of the microbes resume growth.
\Biological indicator (BI) - ANS-A commercially prepared device with a known population of
highly resistant bacterial spores used to test the method of sterilization being monitored. Its
used to demonstrate that conditions necessary to achieve sterilization were met during the
cycle being monitored.
(*Must be used no less than once a month. Lab reports should be filed in permanent sterility
assurance file.)
Regulated by the FDA.
\CDC (Center for Disease Control) - ANS-Recommends that healthcare workers wear
gloves.
Regulates the use of sharps container.
Mandates that healthcare workers be vaccinated against hepatitis B
\Chemical indicator - ANS-A commercially prepared device used to monitor all or parts of the
physical conditions of a heat sterilization process by means of a characteristic color change,
usually chemically treated paper strips.
It does not indicate that sterilization has been achieved and most indicate only that the
temperature needed was attained. Some are capable of 'integrating' time at a particular
temperature before color change. Regulated by the FDA.
\Cleaning and other non-medical gloves - ANS-General purpose, heavy duty, reusable,
puncture resistant utility gloves (rubber household). May be used for housekeeping chores,
instrument cleaning and decontamination procedures that involve potential contact with
contaminants.
Washed and dried between each use and labeled for use by one individual. Discarded when
showing signs of deterioration. Not regulated by the FDA.
Not regulated by the FDA.
\Cleaning electrolysis instruments and other items - ANS-Basic first step for all
decontamination because physically removes all debris and reduces the number of
microorganisms present. Using detergents and water. Designed to remove rather than kill
microorganisms.
Ultrasonic cleaning units, used with enzyme detergents are examples of appropriate devices
to clean electrolysis instruments and items.
Next step is the use of a sterilizer, either dry heat or autoclave. High level disinfectant for
heat sensitive critical items. General disinfectant for other items.
\Containers for dispensing products - Standards - ANS-Containers for dispensing liquid
soap, alcohol and rubs, lotions, etc:
Disposable
If reusable need to be clean and dry before refill
Use aseptic technique for dispensing product
\Contamination - ANS-The result of being soiled, stained, touched or otherwise exposed to
harmful agents, making an object potentially unsafe for use as intended or without barrier
techniques. An example is the entry of infectious or toxic materials into a previously clean or
sterile environment.
\Critical items - ANS-The instruments or object that come in direct contact with the
bloodstream or other normally sterile areas of the body. Critical items must be pre-sterilized,
Single use and disposable. Or sterilized before use.
Examples; Instruments, Tweezers, needles.
