Understanding the definitions of terms used to describe the process of disinfecting various surfaces and other areas in healthcare and veterinary facilities is an essential part of doing the job right. Knowing the exact definitions will dictate whether or not pathogens and other bacteria are being killed effectively during the commercial cleaning process.
Here is a glossary of disinfection and biosecurity terms that are commonly used.
Alcohol-based hand rub: an alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the United States, such preparations usually contain 60–95% ethanol or isopropanol. These are waterless antiseptic agents that do not require the use of exogenous water. After applying such an agent, the hands are rubbed together until the agent has dried.
Antiseptic: a germicide that is used on skin or living tissue for the purpose of inhibiting or destroying microorganisms. Examples include alcohols, chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodine, chloroxylenol (PCMX), quaternary ammonium compounds, and triclosan.
Bioburden: the microbiological load (i.e., number of viable organisms in or on the object or surface) or organic material on a surface or object prior to decontamination, or sterilization, also known as “bioload” or “microbial load.”
Chemical sterilant: chemicals used for the purpose of destroying all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores.
Cleaning: the removal of visible soil, organic, and inorganic contamination from a device or surface, using either the physical action of scrubbing with a surfactant or detergent and water or an energy-based process (e.g., ultrasonic cleaners) with appropriate chemical agents.
Contact time: period of time during a sterilization or disinfection process in which items are exposed to the sterilant or disinfectant at the parameters specified by the manufacturer (e.g., time, concentration, temperature, pressure).
Contaminated: state of having been in contact with microorganisms. As used in health care, it generally refers to microorganisms capable of producing disease or infection.
Decontamination: a process or treatment that renders a medical device, instrument, or environmental surface safe to handle. According to OSHA: “the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal” [29 CFR 1910.1030].
Detergents: compounds that possess a cleaning action and have hydrophilic and lipophilic parts. Although products used for handwashing or in an antiseptic handwash in a healthcare setting represent various types of detergents, the term “soap” is used to refer to such detergents in this publication. Detergents make no antimicrobial claims on the label.
Disinfectant: a chemical agent used on inanimate objects (e.g., floors, walls, sinks) to destroy virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily all microbial forms (e.g., bacterial endospores). The EPA groups disinfectants on whether the product label claims “limited,” “general,” or “hospital” disinfectant.
Disinfection: the destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of microorganisms by physical or chemical means. Disinfection is less lethal than sterilization, because it destroys most recognized pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily all microbial forms, such as bacterial spores. Disinfection does not ensure the margin of safety associated with sterilization processes.
Fomite: inanimate object capable of carrying a pathogen from one location to another when it gets ©istock.com/rclassenlayouts Infection Control and Biosecurity in Veterinary Medicine 19 moved or used throughout a veterinary practice:
- Stethoscopes or other small diagnostic tools (e.g., thermometers)
- Brushes and shaving tools
- Food and water bowls
- Litterboxes
- Toys
- Scales
- Any technology you carry— smart phones, tablets, laptops
- Clipboards
- Shoes
Germicide: an agent that destroys microorganisms, especially pathogenic organisms. Other terms with the suffix “-cide” (e.g., virucide, fungicide, bactericide, tuberculocide, sporicide) indicate an agent that destroys the microorganism identified by the prefix. Germicides may be used to inactivate microorganisms in or on living tissue (antiseptic) or on environmental surfaces (disinfectants).
Hand hygiene: a general term that applies to handwashing, antiseptic handwash, antiseptic hand rub, and surgical hand antisepsis.
Hospital-associated infection (HAI): any infection associated with a medical or surgical intervention.
Hospital disinfectant: a germicide that is registered by the EPA for use on inanimate objects in hospitals, clinics, dental offices, or any other medical-related facility. Efficacy is demonstrated against Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Log reduction: a 10-fold (one decimal) or 90% reduction in numbers of live bacteria.
Noncritical: the category of medical items or surfaces that carry the least risk of disease transmission. This category has been expanded to include not only noncritical medical devices but also environmental surfaces. Noncritical medical devices touch only unbroken (intact) skin (e.g., blood pressure cuff). Noncritical environmental surfaces can be further divided into clinical contact surfaces (e.g., light handle) and housekeeping surfaces (e.g., floors, countertops).
Personal protective equipment (PPE): is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard (e.g., gloves, masks, protective eyewear, gowns). General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts, or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment.
Sterilant: a liquid chemical germicide that destroys all forms of microbiological life, including high numbers of resistant bacterial spores.
Sterilization: the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microorganisms including large numbers of resistant bacterial spores.
Surfactants: surface-active agents that reduce surface tension. They help cleaning by loosening, emulsifying, and holding soil in suspension, which can then be more readily rinsed away.
Surgical hand scrub: an antisepticcontaining preparation that substantially reduces the number of microorganisms on intact skin; it is broad spectrum, fast-acting, and persistent.
Transmission-based precautions: a set of practices that apply to patients with documented or suspected infection or colonization with highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens for which precautions beyond the standard precautions are needed to interrupt transmission in healthcare settings
Keep Your Healthcare Facility Clean
Working with a Professional Janitorial Service that takes the time to educate its employees so they understand the importance of disinfection terminology and know when and when not to use certain terms is the best way to avoid a mistake that could be costly at your healthcare facility. TLC Janitorial works hard to train each of our employees so they’re ready to provide exceptional service. We have experience working in a variety of industries including healthcare related locations. Contact us today to learn more about how TLC Janitorial can help keep your workplace clean.