Action level: concentration of a regulated substance (e.g., ethylene oxide, formaldehyde) within the employee breathing zone, above which OSHA requirements apply. Activation of a sterilant: process of mixing the contents of a chemical sterilant that come in two containers (small vial with the activator solution; container of the chemical). Keeping the two chemicals separate until use extends the shelf life of the chemicals. Aeration: method by which ethylene oxide (EtO) is removed from EtO-sterilised items by warm air circulation in an enclosed cabinet specifically designed for this purpose. Antimicrobial agent: any agent that kills or suppresses the growth of microorganisms. Antiseptic: substance that prevents or arrests the growth or action of microorganisms by inhibiting their activity or by destroying them. The term is used especially for preparations applied topically to living tissue. Asepsis: prevention of contact with microorganisms. Autoclave: device that sterilises instruments or other objects using steam under pressure. The length of time required for sterilisation depends on temperature, vacuum, and pressure. Bacterial count: method of estimating the number of bacteria per unit sample. The term also refers to the estimated number of bacteria per unit sample, usually expressed as number of colony-forming units. Bactericide: agent that kills bacteria. Bioburden: number and types of viable microorganisms with which an item is contaminated; also called bioload or microbial load. Biofilm: accumulated mass of bacteria and extracellular material that is tightly adhered to a surface and cannot be easily removed. Biologic indicator: device for monitoring the sterilisation process. The device consists of a standardised, viable population of microorganisms (usually bacterial spores) known to be resistant to the sterilisation process being monitored. Biologic indicators are intended to demonstrate whether conditions were adequate to achieve sterilisation. A negative biologic indicator does not prove that all items in the load are sterile or that they were all exposed to adequate sterilisation conditions. 58 ΚΛΙΝΙΚΕΣ ΚΑΤΕΥΘΥΝΤΗΡΙΕΣ ΟΔΗΓΙΕΣ • ΑΠΟΣΤΕΙΡΩΣΗ ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ – ΓΛΩΣΣΑΡΙ
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