Gross soil
body substances left on equipment after surgery
holding area
an area where used instruments are kept before transporting to SPD
biofilm
a collection of microorganisms that attach and form a colony on surfaces that becomes difficult to penetrate with detergents and disinfectants
sharps
cutting instruments
turnover/turnaround
instruments or equipment that needs to be processed for another procedure OR the amount of time it takes to process instruments or equipment needed for another procedure
humidity
percent of water vapor in the atmosphere
negative air pressure
lower air pressure in a room causing air to flow into a room
biohazardous signage
required signs alerting to the presence of infectious agents
biohazardous waste
waste containing infectious agents
utility water
tap water that may need further treatment
critical water
treated water that has had organic and inorganic materials removed
biocide
a substance that kills or controls the growth of microorganisms
reverse osmosis
water treatment process using a semipermeable membrane
deionized water
water treatment process using an ion exchange process
distilled water
water treatment process using steam and condensation methods
cavitation
process using low pressure bubbles collapse/implosion to dislodge soil from instruments in an ultrasonic washer
electroplating
producing a metallic coating using electrical currents in solution
impingement
spray-force action of pressurized water to remove bioburden
thermal disinfection
use of heat to reduce the amount of microorganisms
protease
enzyme that breaks down proteins
lipase
enzyme that breaks down fat
amylase
enzyme that breaks down starches into sugars
emulsifiers
ingredient that binds two substances that don't usually combine, like oil and water
surfactants
substance lowers surface tension of water and increases solubility
chelating agents
chemicals that hold hard water minerals and prevents reactions with detergents
TASS
Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome: postoperative inflammation cause by noninfectious substance