| A | B |
|---|
| asepsis | absence of microbes |
| autoclave | another name for the steam sterilizer; machine used to sterilize surgicla equipment and instruments by use of steam under pressure |
| bioburden | amount of organic debris or the number of microbes on an object at any given time |
| biological indicator | biological indicators containing microorganisms that are killed when exposed to the sterilization process. this is the only test that assures that sterilizing conditions have been met |
| Bowie-Dick | test specifically desinged for the prevacuum sterilizer to check for air entrapment |
| cavitation | mechanical process used by ultrasonic cleaners during which airpockets implode to dislodge debris and soil from the crevices and serrations of surgical instruments and equipment |
| chelation | process of binding ions, such as iron and magnesium, in soultion to prevent their deposit on the surfaces of surgical instruments |
| chemical indicator | an internal or external monitor that changes color when exposed to the sterilization process |
| colonization | organization, growth, and reproduction of a select group of organisms |
| contamination | soiled with gross debris or by the presence of pathogenic materials |
| endoscope | an instrument for examining the interior of an organ or structure |
| event-related sterility | sterility determined by how a sterile package is handled rather than the amount of time elapsed; the package is considered sterile until opened or the packaging material is damaged |
| immediate-use steam sterilization | rapid process of sterilization of unwrapped items immediately prior to or during a surgical procedure |
| immersion | placement of an item into liquid |
| integrity | moral integrity has to do with strict adherence to a standard of conduct or values; in the case of asepsis, ingetrity has to do with the completeness or unity of the packaging material surrounding a sterile item |
| Intermediate-level disinfection | disinfection that kills most microoganisms (except spores) |
| Julian date | date based on system of numbering days sequentially throughout the year; for example, Feburary 1 would be the 32nd day in the julian system. this system is often used for keeping sterilization records |
| lumen | the inner open space of a tube or cavity |
| pathogen | any microbe capable of causing disease |
| permability | capability of being penetrated |
| SSIs | an infection of the surgical wound that was aquired during the course of the surgical procedure |
| sterile field | free of all living microorganisms, inculding spores |
| sterile technique | methods used to prevent contamination of the sterile field by microorganisms |
| sterilization | the process of destroying microorganisms, including spores to render an inanimate item sterile through the use of steam under pressure, chemicals, or gas |
| ultrasonic cleaner | machine that employs ultrasound to remove small organic particles and soil from areas of instrumentation that manual or mechanical cleaning cannot reach |
