Using Disinfectants and practicing
Sterilization in the Veterinary Clinic
Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed!
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9 INTEGRATE INFORMATION FROM DIVERSE
SOURCES, BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY, INTO A COHERENT
UNDERSTANDING OF AN IDEA OR EVENT, NOTING DISCREPANCIES AMONG
SOURCES.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.4 DETERMINE THE MEANING OF WORDS AND
PHRASES AS THEY ARE USED IN A TEXT, INCLUDING ANALYZING HOW AN
AUTHOR USES AND REFINES THE MEANING OF A KEY TERM OVER THE
COURSE OF A TEXT .
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource
Standards Addressed
• AS.07.01. Design programs to prevent animal diseases, parasites and other
disorders and ensure animal welfare.
• AS.07.01.05.b. Assess the safety and effectiveness of facilities and equipment used for
surgical and nonsurgical veterinary treatments and procedures.
Bell Work!
• Why are multi-drug resistant bacteria a concern?
• Why is it important to clean all surfaces prior to disinfection or sterilization?
• How may surgical instruments be cleaned?
• Where can an infectious organism live?
• What are the various methods of sterilization?
Terms:
• Alkaline
• Antiseptic
• Aseptic
• Chlorine
• Disinfectant
• Formaldehyde
• Germicidal
• Iodine
• Pathogenic
• Sterilization
• Ultrasonic
Disinfectants:
• A chemical compound applied to an inanimate
surface to reduce/eliminate pathogenic organisms
is known as a disinfectant.
• The act or process of destroying pathogenic
organisms is known as “Disinfection”.
• An inanimate surface such as a table may become
contaminated with fungi, bacteria and viruses.
• Feeding utensils, cages and floors are very easily
contaminated.
• A disinfectant is only effective when applied to a
clean surface.
Classes of Disinfectants
• Alkalies are compounds having
a high pH (basic). Examples
would be lime, soda, potash,
lye.
• Lime is applied to the soil.
• A lye solution would be used to
disinfect rubber products such as
boots, aprons reusable gloves.
• Alkaline products are irritating
to the skin and should not be in
an area where animals will come
into contact with the solution.
Classes of Disinfectants:
• Chlorine is an effective bleaching
agent as well as one of the most
effective disinfectants.
• A solution of household bleach at a
level of .05 - .2% is a very effective
disinfectant.
• Bleach has an offensive odor that
may be irritating.
Classes of Disinfectants:
• Formaldehyde is very similar to chlorine.
• A 5 % solution is very effective in disinfecting rubber boots, feeding supplies but
it does have a very strong odor.
Classes of Disinfectants:
• Quaternary ammonium can be diluted to a level of 1:5000 and be
effectively used on hard surfaces such as tables, cages, utensils and
flooring.
Handling Disinfectants Properly:
• When handling disinfectants always wear rubber gloves. Follow the directions to
properly dilute the product that you will be using. The following guidelines will
help you in using disinfectants properly;
• Mix the solution properly, too weak will fail to be effective, too strong is a waste of money.
• Do not combine chemicals, the reaction could weaken the product or cause and adverse
reaction.
• Allow the solution to be in place for the proper amount of time.
• Do not store the mixed solution as it will loose its effectiveness.
• Organic material such a manure will reduce the solutions effectiveness, clean prior to
disinfecting any area.
Sterilization of tools and equipment:
• Sterilization is the process of using either chemical or physical
agents to kill all microorganisms whether they be viral, fungal or
bacterial.
• Disinfectants are applied to inanimate materials, antiseptics are
applied the living body, both inhibit microorganism growth.
• Skin can never be completely sterile, the absence of harmful
microorganisms on the skin is known as “Asepsis”.
• Contamination occurs when there is break in sterility or asepsis.
• Sterilization helps to maintain “asepsis”.
Microorganisms and Infection:
• Maintaining a sterile operating area
helps prevent wound infection which
is common following surgery.
• A would can not be completely
sterile.
• The goal is to minimize the number
of bacteria present so that the body’s
natural defense system will not be
over whelmed.
Methods of Sterilization:
• Proper sterilization methods can prevent patient exposure to harmful microorganisms.
• There are a variety or sterilization methods which the clinic may utilize;
• Steam – Steam under pressure is the most commonly used method of sterilization.
Steam temperature, exposure time and pressure are important. An Autoclave is a steam
device most commonly used. Follow these guidelines;
• Fifteen pounds of pressure at 250 degrees for fifteen minutes
• Fifteen pounds of pressure at 275 degrees for ten minutes
Methods of Sterilization:
• Items that include plastic and rubber
materials, such as power cables,
endoscopes can not be subjected to
the temperature and pressure of an
autoclave.
• A gas sterilizer using “Ethylene oxide”
is used for these items. Ethylene
Oxide is flammable and can cause
health problems. It’s use is regulated
and controlled.
Methods of Sterilization:
• A safe method of sterilizing heat
sensitive materials is by plasma
sterilization.
• Reactive ions sterilize items in 45
minutes and 122 degrees.
Methods of Sterilization:
• Prepackaged sterile items such as suture packets and surgical gloves have been
sterilized with ionizing radiation.
• Cold chemical sterilization as another method of sterilizing items that cannot be
exposed to steam. The most common method is immersion in a glutaraldehyde
solution.
• Following sterilization it is important to store surgical tools, instruments in
areas that will maintain an aseptic environment until needed again.
Antiseptics:
• Antiseptics used for patient treatment prevent the growth of microorganisms
and should not harm the patient.
• The ideal antiseptic would be:
•
Non-irritating
• Cost effective
• Have a long shelf life
• Cleansing
• Active against pathogen growth
• Safe for the patient and surgical team
Common Disinfectants
• The most common disinfectants used in the veterinary clinic would
include;
• Alcohol is an effective disinfectant for spot cleaning and small
areas.
• Chlorine compounds as mentioned previously are effective but may
also be corrosive.
• Iodine is effective but will stain clothing, surfaces and the skin.
Preparing Surgical Instruments!
• Surgical instrument must be free of all foreign materials
before sterilization. Blood, feces, oil and any other
residue must be removed.
• Contaminated tools should bed soaked in a detergent
solution prior to sterilization.
• Avoid leaving tools in the pre-soak solution for more than
an hour as non coated area will corrode/rust.
• Effective methods of cleaning include hand scrubbing and
ultrasonic cleaning
• The ultrasonic cleaner will heat a solution during the
process.
The End!