Cleaning,

Disinfection and
Sterilization
By
Dr. Khalil Abdulqawi El-Aajam
PhD. MSc. BSc.N
Cleaning:

Cleaning refers to physical removal of dirt

and debris.

Skin is an effective barrier to most microorganisms,

item that come contact with skin need not be
sterile, such as blood pressure cuffs, linens, bed side
tables, and room furniture can be cleaned and
reused. 2
Disinfection:
Disinfection refers to chemical or
physical processes used to reduce the
numbers of potential pathogens
on object’s surface exception of bacterial
spores.
These processes do not remove all
potential for infection, because
spores, capable of growing at later time.

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Disinfectant agents are:
 A chemical used on lifeless objects.

{ex, Chlorine, Formaldehyde (formalin)}.

A chemical used on living objects.

{Povidone-iodine, Acetic acid, Hydrogen

peroxide(3%) and Alcohol}.

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Bactericidal:
A chemical used to kills microorganisms.

Bacteriostatic:
Agent that prevents bacterial multiplication but
does not kill all forms of the organism.

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Sterilization:

Is the complete elimination or

destruction of all microorganisms,
including spores.

The most common sterilization agents: moist

Heat, ethylene oxide gas, dry heat and ionizing
radiation.
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Moist Heat:-

Steam is moist heat under pressure, with Exposed

to high pressure, water vapor can attain temperature
above boiling point to kill pathogens and spores.

Use Autoclave is use to sterilize surgical instruments,

and surgical dressing.

Autoclaving , it is nontoxic, inexpensive, sporicidal,

and able to penetrate fabrics rapidly.
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Ethylene Oxide Gas:-

Is used to sterilize medical products that

cannot be steam sterilized. This gas destroys
spores and microorganisms by altering cell’s
metabolic process.

Use  This colorless gas can penetrate plastic,

rubber, cotton and other substances.
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Chemicals:-

A number of chemical
disinfectants are used in health care. These
include alcohols, chlorines.

Use  Used for disinfection of instruments

and equipment such as thermometers and
endoscopes.
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Boiling water:-

Is least expensive for use home. Bacterial

spores and some viruses resist boiling. It is not
used in hospitals.

Use  Glass baby bottles should boiled for at

least 15 minutes.

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ASEPSIS:

Is the absence of pathogenic (disease

producing) microorganisms.

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 Types
of ASEPSIS
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Medical Asepsis: (Clean technique)
Refer to measure taken to control and to
reduce the number of pathogens present.

ex ➮ Hand washing, gloving, gowning.

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Surgical Asepsis: (Sterile technique)
Sterile technique mean the object must
be free of all microorganisms. Sterile
technique is used to prevent spread of
pathogenic from the environment into the
client.
ex ➮ IV catheter, injections, urinary
catheterization, irrigation of drainage tubes,
surgical incision, and burns. 14
Principles of Surgical Asepsis
1☻A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another
sterile object.

A- Sterile touching sterile remains sterile.

B- Sterile touching clean becomes contaminated.

C- Sterile touching contaminated becomes contaminated.

D- Sterile touching questionable becomes contaminated.

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2☻Only sterile objects may be placed on
sterile field.
3☻A sterile object or field out of the rang of
vision or an object held below a person’s
waist contaminated.
4☻A sterile object or field becomes
contaminated by prolonged exposure to air

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5☻When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet,
contaminated surface, the sterile object or field
becomes contaminated.

6☻The edge of a sterile field or container are

considered to be contaminated.

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Hand washing
It is a measure carried out to remove dirt
and to minimize the amount of
microorganisms present on skin surface .

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When we must to wash our hands???

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Always wash your hands…
• On arrival to the unit and prior to leaving.
• Before and after caring from patient.
• Before and after eating.
• Before and after wearing gloves
• After bathroom.
• After Cough, sneeze, blow your nose or wipe a child’s nose.
• when hands are visibly soiled,
• after contact with body fluids,
• before and after performing invasive procedures, and after
handling contaminated equipment.
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Hair washing
•Cleansing the hair, which stimulates
circulation and reduces bad odor by
removing Secretion, perspiration and
bacteria from the hair, soap or shampoo
can be used.

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Gloves should be discarded:
● between each patient
● if they become heavily soiled, or contaminated
with infected material
● if torn during patient care.

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Gloves should be worn:
● only once, and should not be washed for reuse
● when in contact with blood, body fluids or excreta
● when handling soiled or linen.
● when caring for patients with a known infectious
condition.

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