Processes by which vegetative organisms, excluding spores, are killed in order to prevent the items disinfected from passing on infection. Equipment, bedlinen and hard surfaces may all be disinfected – the method chosen will depend on the material and size of the object. One of the most important procedures in preventing the spread of infection is the careful washing of hands before handling equipment and between treating di?erent patients. STERILISATION is di?erent from disinfection in that the methods used kill all living organisms and spores.
Methods of disinfection (1) Skin, wounds, etc. – chlorhexidine (with detergent or spirit); iodine (with detergent or spirit); cetrimide; ethyl alcohol; all must stay in contact with the skin for long enough for bacteria to be killed. (2) Hard surfaces (?oors, walls, etc.) – hypochlorites (i.e. bleaches) with or without detergent; cetrimide; iodine-containing solutions; ethyl alcohol. (3) Equipment – wet or dry heat (e.g. boiling for more than 5 minutes); submersion in liquid disinfectants for the appropriate time (e.g. glutaraldehyde 2·5 per cent), chlorhexidine in spirit 70 per cent, formaldehyde (irritant), chlorhexidine (0·1 per cent aqueous), hypochlorites.
Killing of infectious agents outside the body by chemical or physical means directly applied. 1. Concurrent disinfection is the application of disinfective measures as soon as possible after the discharge of infectious material from the body of an infected person, or after the soiling of articles with such infectious discharges. All personal contact with such discharges or articles being prevented prior to such disinfection. 2. Terminal disinfection is application of disinfective measures after the patient has been removed by death or to a hospital, or has ceased to be a source of infection, or after isolation practices have been discontinued. Terminal disinfection is rarely practised; terminal cleaning generally suffices along with airing and sunning of rooms, furniture and bedding. It is necessary only for diseases spread by indirect contact; steam sterilisation of bedding was considered desirable after smallpox (now eradicated).
n. the process of eliminating infective microorganisms from contaminated instruments, clothing, or surroundings by using physical means or chemicals (*disinfectants).
n. a solution containing 40% formaldehyde in water, used as a sterilizing agent and, in pathology, as a fixative. It is lethal to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores and is used to treat wools and hides to kill anthrax spores. Heating the solution produces the irritating vapour of *formaldehyde, which is also used for disinfection.... formalin
n. the occurrence of several *boils (furuncles) at the same time, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection. Treatment includes thorough daily disinfection of the skin and incision (lancing), which may be more effective than antibiotic therapy. Diabetes mellitus should be excluded.... furunculosis
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