Surg Tech Ch 10 Decontamination,
Sterilization & Disinfection Test
verified
-cidal A suffix indicating death; bactericidal means "able to kill bacteria".
Bactericidal Able to kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Bioburden The number of contaminating microbes on an object.
Biofilm Dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces.
Biological indicator A quality control mechanism used in the process of sterilization. It consists of a
closed system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that can be rapidly cultured after the
sterilization process.
Bowie-Dick TestA test that identifies air leaks & ineffective air removal in the steam sterilization process.
Case cart system A method of transporting surgical supplies & equipment to & from the
instrument processing & supply areas.
Cavitation A process during ultrasonic cleaning in which air bubbles implode (burst inward),
releasing particles of soil or tissue debris.
Chemical indicator A method of testing a sterilization parameter. Chemical strips sensitive to
physical conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being sterilized & change color when
the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical monitor.
Chemical sterilization A process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization.
Clean The absence of visible soil on a surface.
Cleaning A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using friction, detergent, &
water.
Cobalt-60 radiation A method of institutional bulk sterilization used by manufacturers to sterilize
prepackaged equipment by ionizing radiation.
Contaminated Rendered nonsterile & unacceptable for use in critical areas of the body.
Decontamination A process in which recently used & soiled medical devices, including
instruments, are made safe for personnel to handle.
Detergent A chemical that breaks down organic debris by emulsification (separation into small
particles) to aid in cleaning.
, Disinfection Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means; does not produce sterility as
not all microbial forms are destroyed in the process.
Environmental cleaning The process of cleaning the surfaces in patient care areas, including the
operating room. This includes floors, cabinets, equipment, lights, & furniture.
Enzymatic cleaner A specific chemical used in detergents & cleaners to penetrate & break down
biological debris, such as blood.
Ethylene oxide (EO) A highly flammable gas that is capable of sterilizing an object; used to sterilize
items that are heat & moisture sensitive.
Event-related sterility A wrapped sterile item may become contaminated by environmental conditions
or events, such as a puncture in the wrapper. ____ ____ _____ refers to sterility based on the absence
of such events. The shelf life of a sterilized pack is event related, not time related.
Exposure time Is the amount of time goods are held in specific conditions during disinfection or the
sterilization process. ____ ____ varies with the size of the load, type of materials being sterilized, & the
type of agent used. ___ ___ is sometimes called the hold time.
Gas plasma sterilization A process that uses the form of matter known as plasma during the sterilization
process.
Gravity-displacement sterilization A type of steam sterilizer that removes air by gravity.
High-level disinfection (HLD) A process that reduces bioburden to an absolute minimum.
High-vacuum sterilizer A type of steam sterilizer that removes air in the chamber by vacuum & refills it
with pressurized steam. aka: Prevacuum Sterilizer
Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) Rapid sterilization of instruments to be used
immediately. This process was previously called flash sterilization.
Implant Defined by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as "a device that is placed into a surgically
or naturally formed cavity of the human body if it is intended to remain there for a period of 30 days or
more."
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A government-mandated requirement for all chemicals used in
the workplace. The ____ describes the formulation, safe use, precautions, & emergency response.
Medical device Any equipment, instrument, implant, material, or apparatus used in the diagnosis,
treatment, or monitoring of patients.
Nonwoven A fabric or material that is bonded together as opposed to a process of interweaving
individual threads.
Peracetic acid A chemical used in the sterilization of critical items.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) Approved attire that acts as a complete barrier between the
wearer & the environment.
Sterilization & Disinfection Test
verified
-cidal A suffix indicating death; bactericidal means "able to kill bacteria".
Bactericidal Able to kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Bioburden The number of contaminating microbes on an object.
Biofilm Dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces.
Biological indicator A quality control mechanism used in the process of sterilization. It consists of a
closed system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that can be rapidly cultured after the
sterilization process.
Bowie-Dick TestA test that identifies air leaks & ineffective air removal in the steam sterilization process.
Case cart system A method of transporting surgical supplies & equipment to & from the
instrument processing & supply areas.
Cavitation A process during ultrasonic cleaning in which air bubbles implode (burst inward),
releasing particles of soil or tissue debris.
Chemical indicator A method of testing a sterilization parameter. Chemical strips sensitive to
physical conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being sterilized & change color when
the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical monitor.
Chemical sterilization A process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization.
Clean The absence of visible soil on a surface.
Cleaning A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using friction, detergent, &
water.
Cobalt-60 radiation A method of institutional bulk sterilization used by manufacturers to sterilize
prepackaged equipment by ionizing radiation.
Contaminated Rendered nonsterile & unacceptable for use in critical areas of the body.
Decontamination A process in which recently used & soiled medical devices, including
instruments, are made safe for personnel to handle.
Detergent A chemical that breaks down organic debris by emulsification (separation into small
particles) to aid in cleaning.
, Disinfection Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means; does not produce sterility as
not all microbial forms are destroyed in the process.
Environmental cleaning The process of cleaning the surfaces in patient care areas, including the
operating room. This includes floors, cabinets, equipment, lights, & furniture.
Enzymatic cleaner A specific chemical used in detergents & cleaners to penetrate & break down
biological debris, such as blood.
Ethylene oxide (EO) A highly flammable gas that is capable of sterilizing an object; used to sterilize
items that are heat & moisture sensitive.
Event-related sterility A wrapped sterile item may become contaminated by environmental conditions
or events, such as a puncture in the wrapper. ____ ____ _____ refers to sterility based on the absence
of such events. The shelf life of a sterilized pack is event related, not time related.
Exposure time Is the amount of time goods are held in specific conditions during disinfection or the
sterilization process. ____ ____ varies with the size of the load, type of materials being sterilized, & the
type of agent used. ___ ___ is sometimes called the hold time.
Gas plasma sterilization A process that uses the form of matter known as plasma during the sterilization
process.
Gravity-displacement sterilization A type of steam sterilizer that removes air by gravity.
High-level disinfection (HLD) A process that reduces bioburden to an absolute minimum.
High-vacuum sterilizer A type of steam sterilizer that removes air in the chamber by vacuum & refills it
with pressurized steam. aka: Prevacuum Sterilizer
Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) Rapid sterilization of instruments to be used
immediately. This process was previously called flash sterilization.
Implant Defined by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as "a device that is placed into a surgically
or naturally formed cavity of the human body if it is intended to remain there for a period of 30 days or
more."
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A government-mandated requirement for all chemicals used in
the workplace. The ____ describes the formulation, safe use, precautions, & emergency response.
Medical device Any equipment, instrument, implant, material, or apparatus used in the diagnosis,
treatment, or monitoring of patients.
Nonwoven A fabric or material that is bonded together as opposed to a process of interweaving
individual threads.
Peracetic acid A chemical used in the sterilization of critical items.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) Approved attire that acts as a complete barrier between the
wearer & the environment.
