PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 20
Second Edition
Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
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InfectionControl Techniques
Objectives
201 Describe the three levels of infection control.
202 Compare and contrast the procedures for
sanitization, disinfection and sterilization.
203 Describe measures used in sanitization.
294 List various methods used in disinfection and the
advantages and disadvantages of each.
205 Explain what an autoclave is and how it operates.
206 List the steps in the general autoclave procedures.
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InfectionControl Techniques
Objectives (cont.)
207 Explain how to wrap and label items for
sterilization in an autoclave.
208 Describe how to complete the sterilization
procedure using an autoclave.
209 Describe four other methods for sterilizing
instruments.
2010 List some infectious diseases, and identify their
signs and symptoms.
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InfectionControl Techniques
Objectives (cont.)
2011 Describe Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention requirements for reporting cases of
infectious disease.
2012 Describe CDC guidelines for patient isolation.
2013 Explain the purpose of immunization.
2014 Describe your role in educating patients about
immunizations.
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Introduction
Patients coming to
the office for
treatment may be
more susceptible to
infections.
Importance of
immunizations and
patient education is
stressed as a method
of infection control.
You will be introduced to identifying infectious diseases,
reporting guidelines and how to isolate patients.
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Medical Assistant’s Role
in Infection Control
Follow correct
sanitization, disinfection
and sterilization
procedures
Help patient understand
basic disease prevention
Administer immunizations
and educate patients
about immunizations
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Three Levels of Infection
Control
Sanitization – cleaning
and scrubbing
instruments and
equipment to remove
contaminated materials
and microorganisms
Disinfection – second
level used on
instruments and
equipments that come
in contact with intact
mucous membrane
Sterilization – complete destruction of all microorganisms
pathogenic, beneficial, and harmless surface of instrument
and equipment
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Sanitization Methods
Collecting instruments – place in container
with water and neutral pH detergent until you
can get to them.
Use utility gloves always and mask, eye
protection and protective clothing if blood,
body fluids or tissue are present
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Sanitization Methods (cont.)
Drain disinfectant or
detergent solution
Rinse each piece under hot
running water
Scrub each item using hot,
soapy water and small
plastic brush
Pay careful attention to
hinges, ratchets and nooks
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Sanitization Methods (cont.)
Rinse instruments individually and place each
one on a clean towel.
Roll all instruments in the towel to remove
moisture
Place instruments either in trays or bins for
storage or wrap for sterilization
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Apply Your Knowledge
What is the difference between
sanitization and sterilization?
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Apply Your Knowledge Answer
What is the difference between
sanitization and sterilization?
Sanitization is the cleaning and scrubbing
instruments and equipment to remove
contaminated materials and microorganisms.
Sterilization is the complete destruction of all
microorganisms pathogenic, beneficial, and
harmless from the surface of instruments and
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equipment.
Disinfection
Wear gloves when handling instruments.
Disinfection solution must cover every
surface.
Used if instrument does not penetrate a
patient’s skin or mucous membranes
Enamelware
Endotracheal tubes
Glassware
Laryngoscopes and nasal specula
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Sterilization
Required for all instruments or supplies
that will penetrate a patient’s skin or
any other normally sterile area of the
body.
First sanitize it and/or disinfect it.
Autoclaving
Chemical (cold) processes
Dry heat processes
Gas processes
Microwave processes
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Autoclave
Primary method of
sterilizing instruments
Steam operate at lower
temperature
Moist steam permeates
the wrapping
Moisture causes
coagulation of proteins
causing cells to burst and
killing them.
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Autoclave (cont.)
1. Prepare instruments by wrapping in
muslin or special porous paper
2. Preheat according to manufacturer’s
guidelines
3. Perform any quality control procedures
4. Load instruments and equipment
5. Set the autoclave for the correct time
after temperature and pressure has been
reached
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Autoclave (cont.)
6. Run the autoclave through
sterilization cycle and drying cycle
7. Remove the instruments and
equipment
8. Store the instruments and equipment
properly
9. Clean autoclave and surrounding area
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Other Methods of Sterilization
Chemical – using chemicals
solutions (Chemiclave) when
heat can’t be used
Dry heat – used when can’t use
heat or chemicals
Gas – used in hospitals takes
Microorganisms
longer than steam
Microwave – low pressure
steam with radiation to produce
localized heat that kills
microorganisms.
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Apply Your Knowledge
When would you use a chemical process
to sterilize instruments?
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Apply Your Knowledge Answer
When would you use a chemical process
to sterilize instruments?
You would use chemical process to sterilize
instruments when heat and moisture would
damage the instruments.
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Infectious Disease
Identifying signs and symptoms of these diseases
can help protect health care workers and patients
from exposure to pathogens.
Pertussis
Poliomyelitis
Roseola
Rubella
Chickenpox (varicella)
Common cold
Croup
Diphtheria
Haemophilus influenzae
Type B
Influenza
Measles
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Infectious Disease (cont.)
Common cold
Signs and symptoms:
Coughing and
sneezing
Incubation lasts 2 to
3 days
Use frequent hand
washing
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Infectious Disease (cont.)
Croup – occurs when an allergy, foreign
body, or an infection obstructs the upper
airway.
Harsh, barking cough, difficulty breathing
Use humidified air
Encourage rest and clear warm fluids
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Infectious Disease (cont.)
Measles (rubeola) – viral disease; itchy rash
appears 14 days after exposure
Mumps – viral infection; pain and
inflammation of the parotid glands, fever
Rubella – viral infection; fever and itchy rash
Immunization programs for children will reduce
patients risk of contracting these diseases.
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Infectious Disease (cont.)
Tetanus (lockjaw) –
bacterial disease cause by
puncture wound by infected
fomite
Vaccination can prevent
tetanus
Tuberculosis (TB) –
bacterial disease of the lungs
with night sweats, fever,
chills, fatigue, blood sputum.
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