Question

Please define decontamination and cleaning. Then, give some complications that may arise if proper cleaning and disinfection does not occur. 225-250 word discussion ( CDC /sterile processing subject )

Answer 1

Decontamination ; use of physical, chemical or other things to remove ,inactive ,or destroy harmful microorganisms or poisonous or radioactive chemicals from person ,space surface or abject . Decontamination of people exposed to hazardous materials should be performed in an orderly fasion .

cleaning; it is the process of removing unwanted substances , such as dirt ,infection agents and other impurities from an object or environment. cleaning occurs in different contexts . It is achieved by mechanical or solvent action like

- washing - abrasive blasting - acoustic cleaning - co2 cleaning - dry cleaning - flame cleaning - steam cleaning etc.

Complications arise by improper cleaning and disinfection . All procedures involve contact between a mechanical device or surgical instrument and a patients sterile tissue . A major risk to all this is pathogenic microbes that could lead to infection . Failure to properly disinfect or sterilize reusable medical equipments carries a risk associated with breach of the host barriers . The level of disinfection or sterilization is dependent upon the intended use of the object . Critical objects ( such as surgical , semisurgical ) come in contact with mucous membranes and non critical items such as stethoscope require high level sterilization , disinfection becouse they may prove dangerous to hospital staff as well as the patients admitted in the hospital .

problems are as outlined below .

- hospital acquired infection eg pneumonia , pseudomonal pneumonia etc.

- transmission of deadliest disease AIDS , COVID 19 etc

- Respiratory problems to patients who have already problems .

- Delay in procedures and directly effects mortality.