RD Glossary

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Administrative controls

the use of administrative measures (i.e., policies and procedures and enforcement measures) to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogenic organisms.

Aerosol

particles of respirable size (<10 µm) generated by both humans and environmental sources that can remain viable and airborne for extended periods in the indoor environment; commonly generated in dentistry during use of handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, and air/water syringes.

Air abrasion

the application of a mixture of small abrasive particles by air blast to prepare a cavity in a tooth or remove deposits from teeth.

Airborne transmission

a means of spreading infection in which airborne droplet nuclei are inhaled by the susceptible host.

Alcohol-based hand rub

an alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the United States, such preparations usually contain 60%--95% ethanol or isopropanol. These are waterless antiseptic agents not requiring the use of exogenous water. After applying such an agent, the hands are rubbed together until the agent has dried.

Allergen

an antigen, a substance capable of inducing allergy or specific hypersensitivity.

Allergic contact dermatitis

a type IV or delayed- hypersensitivity reaction resulting from contact with a chemical allergen (e.g., poison ivy, certain components of patient care gloves), generally localized to the contact area. Reactions occur slowly over 12-48 hours.

Anaphylaxis

(immediate anaphylactic hypersensitivity): a severe and sometimes fatal Type 1 reaction in a susceptible person after a second exposure to a specific antigen (e.g., food, pollen, proteins in latex gloves, or penicillin) after previous sensitization. Anaphylaxis is characterized commonly by respiratory symptoms, itching, hives, and rarely by shock and death (anaphylactic shock).

Antibody

a protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (e.g., bacteria or viruses) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them.

Antigen

 a foreign substance, usually protein or carbohydrate substance (as a toxin or enzyme) capable of stimulating an immune response, usually the production of antibodies.

Antimicrobial soap

a soap (i.e., detergent) containing an antiseptic agent.

Antiseptic

a germicide that is used on skin or living tissue for the purpose of inhibiting or destroying microorganisms. Examples include alcohols, chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodine, chloroxylenol (PCMX), quaternary ammonium compounds, and triclosan.

Antiseptic handwash

Washing hands with water and soap or detergents containing an antiseptic agent. Antiseptic hand rub. The process of applying an antiseptic hand-rub product to all surfaces of the hands to reduce the number of microorganisms present.

Asepsis

Prevention from contamination with microorganisms. Includes sterile conditions on tissues, on materials, and in rooms, as obtained by excluding, removing, or killing organisms.

Bacterial count

A method of estimating the number of bacteria per unit sample. The term also refers to the estimated number of bacteria per unit sample, usually expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs) per square centimeter (cm2) per milliliter (ml).

Bacterial endocarditis

A bacterial induced inflammation of the lining of the heart and its valves.

Bead sterilizer

 (endodontic dry heat sterilizer): a device that used small glass beads (1.2–1.5 mm diameter) and high temperature (217–232^oC) for brief exposures (e.g., 45 seconds) to inactivate microorganisms. The term is a misnomer because it is not cleared by the FDA as a sterilizer.

Bioburden

The microbiological load (i.e., number of viable organisms in or on the object or surface) or organic material on a surface or object prior to decontamination, or sterilization, also known as "bioload" or "microbial load."

Biological indicator

A device to monitor the sterilization process that consists of a standardized population bacterial spores known to be resistant to the mode of sterilization being monitored. Biological indicators indicate that all the parameters necessary for sterilization were present.

Bloodborne pathogens

Disease-producing microorganisms spread by contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood from an infected person.

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

BA standard developed, promulgated, and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) directing employers to protect employees from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material.

Chemical indicator

A device to monitor the sterilization process that changes color or form with exposure to one or more of the physical conditions within the sterilizing chamber (e.g., temperature, steam). Chemical indicators are intended to detect potential sterilization failures that could result from incorrect packaging, incorrect loading of the sterilizer, or malfunctions of the sterilizer. A “pass” response does not verify that the items are sterile.

Chemical sterilant

Chemicals used for the purpose of destroying all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores.

Cleaning

The removal of visible soil, organic and inorganic contamination from a device or surface, using either the physical action of scrubbing with a surfactant or detergent and water or an energy-based process (e.g., ultrasonic cleaners) with appropriate chemical agents.

Colony-forming unit

(CFU): the minimum number of separable cells on the surface of or in semi-solid agar medium which gives rise to a visible colony of progeny is on the order of tens of millions. CFUs may consist of pairs, chains, and clusters as well as single cells and are often expressed as colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml).

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