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High-Level Disinfection Flashcards

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  1. High-level disinfection (HLD) is defined as the destruction of all microorganisms EXCEPT:

    Answer: High numbers of bacterial spores

    HLD kills all microorganisms including vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses, but may not destroy high numbers of bacterial spores.

  2. According to the Spaulding classification, which category of medical devices requires at minimum high-level disinfection?

    Answer: Semi-critical items

    Semi-critical items contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin and require at minimum high-level disinfection.

  3. Which chemical agent has historically been the most widely used for high-level disinfection of flexible endoscopes?

    Answer: Glutaraldehyde

    Glutaraldehyde (e.g., Cidex) has been the most widely used HLD agent for flexible endoscopes due to its broad-spectrum activity and material compatibility.

  4. What does MEC stand for in the context of high-level disinfectant solutions?

    Answer: Minimum Effective Concentration

    MEC stands for Minimum Effective Concentration, the lowest concentration at which a disinfectant solution still achieves high-level disinfection.

  5. Why must items be thoroughly cleaned before high-level disinfection?

    Answer: To remove organic material that can inactivate the disinfectant

    Organic material such as blood and protein inactivates HLD agents, preventing them from contacting and killing microorganisms on device surfaces.

  6. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST important when manually handling glutaraldehyde solutions?

    Answer: Chemical-resistant gloves, face shield, and gown

    Glutaraldehyde is a sensitizer and irritant; chemical-resistant gloves, a face shield, and a fluid-resistant gown protect against skin, eye, and respiratory exposure.

  7. What is the FIRST step a technician must perform before placing a device into a high-level disinfectant solution?

    Answer: Test the MEC of the solution

    Testing the MEC with an appropriate test strip before each use confirms the solution is still at or above the minimum effective concentration required for HLD.