Sterilization
process by which all forms of life, including bacterial spores, are destroyed by physical or chemical means.
Sporicide
substance that kills spores.
Sanitation
the process by which the number of organisms on inanimate objects is reduced. It does not imply freedom from microorganisms and generally refers to a cleaning process.
OSHA
United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor.
OSAP
Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Research Foundation.
Infection control
the selection and use of procedures and products to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
Disinfectant
an agent, usually chemical, but may be a physical agent, such as X-rays or ultraviolet light, that destroys microorganisms but may not kill bacterial spores; refers to substances applied to inanimate objects. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Broad spectrum
indicates a range of activity of a drug or chemical substance against a wide variety of microorganisms
Biological indicator
a preparation of nonpathogenic microorganisms, usually bacterial spores, carried by an ampule or a specially impregnated paper enclosed within a package during sterilization and subsequently incubated to verify that sterilization has occurred.
Biohazard
a substance that poses a biologic risk because it is contaminated with biomaterial that has a potential for transmitting infection.
Bioburden
a microbiologic load, that is, the number of contaminating organisms present on a surface before sterilization or disinfection.
Aseptic technique
procedures carried out in the absence of pathogenic microorganisms.
Asepsis
free from contamination with microorganisms; includes sterile conditions in tissues and on materials, as obtained by exclusion, removing, or killing organisms.
Antiseptic
a substance that prevents or arrests the growth or action of microorganisms either by inhibiting their activity by destroying them; term used especially for preparations applied topically to living tissue.
Antimicrobial agent
any agent that kills or suppresses the growth of microorganisms.
Privacy
Patients right to control access to identifiable person health information.
Unless permission is given, a family member cannot receive information about the patient.
Confidentiality
The responsibly of the healthcare provider to protect patients information.
HIPPA training is provided for new employees.
Security
Protection against unsecured patient data.
A secure computer network is used or paper records are kept in locked files.
Accuracy
Recorded information is not altered after the fact.
A new entry(dated and signed) is made in the patients record to correct an error or omission in documentation during the patient appointment.
Authenticity
Only data actually obtained during the patient visit is recorded.
Completely document only what actually happened during a patient visit.
Impersonal/Objective
Personal opinion or negative social observations not pertinent to the patients treatment are never placed in the patient record.
Uncooperative behavior or non-compliance are documented using subjective, factual statements.