Infection Control Flashcards

What is bioburden and why is it significant in sterile processing?

Answer: The number and type of viable microorganisms on an item before sterilization

Bioburden refers to the population of viable microorganisms on an item, and reducing it through thorough cleaning is essential for sterilization to be effective.

What is the chain of infection, and which link does sterile processing primarily break?

Answer: Mode of transmission — by ensuring instruments do not serve as vehicles for pathogen transfer

Sterile processing breaks the mode of transmission link by ensuring that reprocessed instruments are free of pathogens and cannot serve as vehicles for infection transmission.

What does the term 'sterility assurance level' (SAL) of 10^-6 mean?

Answer: There is a one-in-a-million probability that a single viable microorganism survives on a sterilized item

SAL 10^-6 means there is no more than a one-in-a-million chance that any single viable microorganism remains on a properly sterilized item.

Why are immunocompromised patients at greater risk from improperly reprocessed instruments?

Answer: Their weakened immune systems cannot fight off microorganisms that might survive inadequate reprocessing

Immunocompromised patients have reduced ability to fight infections, making even small numbers of surviving microorganisms from improper reprocessing potentially life-threatening.

What role does water quality play in infection control during instrument reprocessing?

Answer: Poor water quality can deposit minerals, harbor bacteria, and leave residues that interfere with sterilization

Water quality directly impacts cleaning effectiveness, instrument longevity, and sterilization success — contaminated or mineral-heavy water can compromise the entire reprocessing chain.

What is an emerging infectious disease concern that has changed SPD reprocessing protocols?

Answer: Antibiotic-resistant organisms such as CRE and MRSA requiring enhanced cleaning verification

Antibiotic-resistant organisms like CRE and MRSA have driven adoption of enhanced cleaning verification methods and more stringent reprocessing protocols.